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EGULATIONS 


DOCUMENTS 
DfPT. 


AND 


^RAL  INSTRUCTIONS 
PLICABLE  TO  THE 
RURAL  MAIL  SERVICE 


PREPARED  UNDER  THE  DIRECTION  OF 

H.  H.  BILLANY 

Fourth  Assistani  Postmaster  General 


WASHINGTON 
GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE 

1921 


...»  « 


POSTAL  LAWS  AND 
REGULATIONS 


AND 


GENERAL  INSTRUCTIONS 
APPLICABLE  TO  THE 
RURAL   MAIL  SERVICE 


PREPARED  UNDER  THE  DIRECTION  OP 

H.  H.  BILLANY 

Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster  General 


WASHINGTON 
GOVERNMENT   PRINTING   OFFICE 

1921 


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NOTE. 


This  book  contains  sections  of  the  Postal  Laws  and 
Regulations  amended  to  date  (together  with  general  in- 
structions) applicable  to  the  Jlural  Mail  Service.  Each 
carrier  will  be  furnished  with  a  copy,  which  must  be 
taken  with  him  wliile  on  the  service  of  his  route. 

Much  of  the  matter  in  this  revised  edition  of  the  Manual 
is  new  and  carriers  will  be  required  to  familiarize  them- 
selves thoroughly  with  these  regulations  and  to  correct 
their  books  as  amendments  to  the  regulations  appear  in 
the  IMonthly  Supplements  to  the  Official  Postal  Guide. 

The  Postal  Laws  are  printed  in  small  Unpe  and  the  reg- 
ulations in  large  type.  General  instructions  appearing 
herein  which  are  not  part  of  the  Postal  Laws  and  Regula- 
tions are  printed  in  italics. 

A  regulation  has  all  the  force  of  law  when  not  in  conflict 
with  a  statute. 

Tliis  book  is  the  property  of  the  Post  Office  Department 
and  should  be  suiTendered  by  the  carrier  at  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term  of  service. 

H.  H.  BiLLANY, 

Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster  General. 


456524 


POSTAL  LAWS,  REGULATIONS,  AND  INSTRUCTIONS 
APPLICABLE  TO  THE  RURAL  MAIL  SERVICE. 


Sec.  8.  Regulations. — The  head  of  each  department  is  authorized  to 
prescribe  regulations,  not  inconsistent  with  law,  for  the  government  of 
his  department,  the  conduct  of  its  officers  and  clerks,  the  distribution 
and  performance  of  its  business,  and  the  custody,  use,  and  preservation 
of  the  records,  papers,  and  property  appertaining  to  it. 

2,  All  regulations  or  amendments  thereof  shall  be  pro- 
mulgated by  the  Postmaster  General  and  duly  entered 
of  record  in  the  journal. 

***** 
Sec.  14.  Office  of  the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster  Gen- 
eral.— To  the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster  General  are 
assigned  the  general  supervision  of  the  rural  mail  service, 
including  rural-delivery  routes,  star  routes  (except  in 
Alaska);  the  custody  and  distribution  of  supplies  for  the 
postal  service;  general  supervision  of  the  mail-bag  repair 
shops,  mail-bag  storehouse,  and  the  mail-lock  shop;  the 
manufacture  and  repair  of  mail  bags,  locks,  keys,  and  key 
chains;  the  making,  printing,  and  distribution  of  post- 
route  and  rural-delivery  maps,  and  the  making  and  print- 
ing of  parcel-post  maps. 

***** 

3.  The  Division  of  Rural  Mails,  under  the  supervision 
of  the  Superintendent  Division  of  Rural  Mails,  is  charged 
with  the  consideration  of    all  matters  pertaining  to  the 


6  P08TA.L   LAWS    AiVD   BE'JULATIONS. 

rural-delivery  service  and  the  serv^ice  on  star  routes  (ex- 
cept in  Alaska);  the  appointment  and  discipline  of  ruial 
carriers;  the  preparation  of  advertisements  invitiag  pro- 
posals for  service  on  such  star  routes,  the  drafting  of  orders 
awarding  service,  and  the  preparation  of  contracts  therefor; 
the  examination  of  monthly  and  special  reports  of  post- 
masters as  to  the  performance  of  service,  and  the  prepa- 
ration of  orders  making  deductions  and  imposing  fines  for 
nonperformance  of  service  and  other  delinquencies  on  the 
part  of  contractors  and  carriers;  and  the  ^preparation  of 
monthly  statements  to  the  Auditor  for  the  Post  Office 
Department  of  the  amounts  found  upon  administrative 
examination  to  be  due  contractors  for  the  performance 
of  such  star-route  service. 

■H-  -x-  *  *  * 

Sec.  5a.  That  hereafter  the  Postmaster  General  shall  have  author- 
ity to  employ  acting  employees  in  place  of  all  employees  or  substitutes 
hereinafter  mentioned  (railway  postal  clerk,  substitiite  railway  postal 
clerk,  supervisory  official  of  the  Railway  Mail  Service,  post-oiTice  inspec- 
tor, letter  carrier  in  the  City  Delivery  Service,  rural  letter  carrier,  post- 
office  clerk,  or  special-delivery  messenger)  who  are  injured  while  on 
duty,  who  shall  be  granted  leave  of  absence  with  full  pay  during  the 
period  of  disability,  but  not  exceeding  one  year,  then  at  the  rate  of  50 
per  cent  of  the  employees'  salary  for  the  period  of  disability  exceeding 
one  year,  but  not  exceeding  V2  months  additional.  *  *  *  Provided, 
That  no  compensation  shall  be  paid  any  such  employee  for  any  injury 
occasioned  by  his  own  negligence.    (Act  of  Mar.  9,  1914.) 

2.  Whenever  an  employee  specified  in  paragraph  1  of 
this  section  is  injured  wliile  on  duty,  the  di^'ision  super- 
intendent, Railway  I*Iail  Service,  inspector  in  charge,  or 
postmaster,  as  the  case  may  be,  shall  immediately  report 
to  the  department  the  fact  of  such  injury  and  the  circum- 
stances connected  %vith  it  so  far  as  he  may  be  advised,  and 


EUEAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  7 

if  necessary  may  emj^loy  a  substitute  to  take  the  place 
of  the  injured  employee. 

The  injured  employee  may  apply  to  the  department 
through  the  regular  official  channels  for  leave  of  absence 
with  pay  on  account  of  such  injury  for  a  period  not  exceed- 
ing 30  days  from  the  date  of  the  injury,  and  shall  furnish 
in  support  of  his  application  a  certificate  of  his  attending 
physician  or  surgeon,  sworn  to  before  an  officer  authorized 
to  administer  oaths,  who  has  an  official  seal,  setting  forth 
the  nature  and  extent  of  his  disability  and  the  probable 
duration  of  the  same;  and  such  further  evidence  as  to 
the  character  of  the  disability  as  may  be  necessar}^  shall 
be  furnished.  The  injured  employee  shall  include  in 
his  application  a  sworn  statement  of  the  facts  as  to  how 
the  injury  occun-ed  and  whether  or  not  it  was  occasioned 
by  his  own  negligence.  He  may  also  be  required  to 
undergo  an  examination  at  his  own  expense  by  a  physician 
or  siu'geon  designated  by  the  supervisory  officer  or  the 
department. 

3.  The  diAasion  superintendent,  Railway  Mail  Ser\ice, 
inspector  in  charge,  or  postmaster,  as  the  case  may  be, 
shall  forward,  with  his  recommendation,  a  full  report  of 
the  facts,  and  the  application  of  the  injured  employee 
supported  by  the  certificate  of  his  physician  or  surgeon, 
together  with  such  affida\dts  or  statements  as  he  (the 
supervisory  officer)  may  have  been  able  to  obtain  with 
respect  to  the  accident,  to  the  chief  of  the  bureau  or  office 
having  jurisdiction  of  the  serA-ice  under  which  the  injured 
employee  comes,  who,  if  satisfied  that  the  injury  was  not 
occasioned  by  the  employee's  own  negligence  and  other- 
wise the  facts  warrant,  may  grant  leave  of  absence  with 


8  i'OSTAL    LAWS    AND    EEGULATIONS. 

pay  to  the  injured  employee  for  a  period  not  exceeding 
30  days,  and  appoint  the  substitute  as  an  acting  employee 
for  not  exceeding  the  30-day  period  at  a  rate  of  compensa- 
tion equal  to  the  amount  which  he  (the  acting  employee) 
would  receive  as  the  substitute  for  the  injured  employee 
if  the  injured  employee  was  on  leave  of  absence  without 
pay,  from  any  funds  appropriated  for  the  employment  of 
acting  employees  in  place  of  employees  granted  leave 
of  absence  with  pay  on  account  of  injuries  received  while 
on  duty. 

4 .  I  f  it  is  apparent  that  the  disability  will  extend  beyond 
80  days  from  the  date  of  the  injury,  the  injured  employee 
may  apply  to  the  department  for  leave  of  absence  with 
pay  for  additional  periods  of  not  exceeding  30  days  at  a 
time.  In  such  cases  the  procedure  outlined  in  paragraph 
3  of  this  section  shall  be  followed,  excepting  that  the 
chief  of  the  bureau  or  office  having  supervdsion  of  the 
ser^dce  under  which  the  employee  comes  shall  f  oi^ward  the 
application  for  additional  leave,  accompanied  vnth.  a  new 
sworn  certificate  of  physician  or  surgeon,  and  if  deemed 
necessary  a  certificate  obtained  at  his  own  expense  from  a 
physician  or  surgeon  designated  by  the  supervisory  officer 
or  the  department,  together  with  all  papers  in  the  case, 
with  his  recommendation,  to  the  Solicitor  for  the  Post 
Office  Department  for  examination  and  report  as  to  whether 
or  not,  in  his  opinion,  the  e^^.dence  warrants  the  approval 
of  the  application  for  leave  of  absence  with  pay,  and  who, 
in  turn,  shall  forward  the  application,  with  his  recom- 
mendation, to  the  Postmaster  General  for  final  action. 

5.  In  case  the  injury  is  found  to  be  of  a  character  that 
will  disqualify  the  injured  employee  from  further  duty 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.-  V 

in  the  position  which  he  held  when  injured  or  from  other 
duty  to  which  he  might  otherwise  be  assigned,  or  in  other 
exceptional  cases  which  have  been  passed  upon  by  the 
Solicitor  for  the  Post  Office  Department  any  of  the  provi- 
sions of  these  regulations  may  be  waived  by  the  Post- 
master General  and  leave  of  absence  with  pay  granted 
and  an  acting  employee  appointed  for  all  or  any  part  of 
the  full  period  pro\dded  for  by  law. 

Note. — The  act  of  March  9,  1914,  upon  which  section  5a  is  based,  is 
construed  not  to  apply  to  special-delivery  messengers  employed  to 
deliver  special-delivery  letters  at  so  much  apiece.  This  act  can  only 
apply  to  such  special-delivery  messengers  as  may  be  employed  on  a 
salary  basis. 

***** 

Sec.  29.  Removal  from  classified  service.— No  person  in  the  clas.<^i 
fied  civil  service  of  the  United  States  shall  be  removed  therefrom  cxcept- 
f  or  such  cause  as  will  promote  the  efTiciency  of  said  service  and  for  reasons 
given  in  writing,  and  the  person  whoso  removal  is  sought  shall  have 
notice  of  the  same  and  of  anj'  charges  preferred  against  him,  and  be  fur- 
nished with  a  copy  thereof,  and  also  be  allowed  a  reasonable  time  for 
personally  answering  the  same  in  writing;  and  affidavits  in  support 
thereof;  but  no  examination  of  witnesses  nor  any  trial  or  hearing  shall 
be  required  except  in  the  discretion  of  the  officer  making  the  removal; 
and  copies  of  charges,  notice  of  hearing,  answer,  reasons  for  removal,  and 
of  the  order  of  removal  shall  be  made  a  part  of  the  records  of  the  proper 
department  or  office,  as  shall  also  the  reasons  for  reduction  in  rank  or 
compensation;  and  copies  of  the  same  shall  be  furnished  to  the  person 
affected  upon  request,  and  the  CivU  Service  Commission  also  shall,  upon 
request,  be  furnished  copies  of  the  same:  Provided,  hoicever,  That  mem- 
bership in  any  societj^,  association,  club,  or  other  form  of  organization 
of  postal  employees  not  affiliated  with  any  outside  organization  imposing 
an  obligation  or  duty  upon  them  to  engage  in  any  strike,  or  proposing 
to  assist  them  in  any  strike,  against  the  United  States,  having  for  its 
iobjects,  am.ong  other  things,  improvements  in  the  condition  of  labor  of 
ts  members,  including  hours  of  labor  and  compensation  therefor  and 
leave  of  absence,  by  any  person  or  groups  of  persons  in  said  postal  service 
or  the  presenting  by  any  such  person  or  groups  of  persons  of  any  griev- 


10  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   EEGULATIONS. 

ance  or  grievances  to  the  Congress  or  any  Member  thereof  shall  not  con- 
stitute or  be  cause  for  reduction  in  rank  or  compensation  or  removal  of 
such  person  or  groups  of  persons  from  said  service.  The  right  of  persons 
employed  in  the  civil  service  of  the  United  States,  either  individually 
or  collectively,  to  petition  Congress,  or  any  Member  thereof,  or  to  furnish 
information  to  either  House  of  Congress,  or  to  any  committee  or  member 
thereof,  shall  not  be  denied  or  interfered  -wdth. 

Sec.  36.  Post-office  inspectors. — Post-office  inspectors 
are  the  special  representatives  of  the  Postmaster  General. 
They  are  charged  with  the  investigation  of  post  offices  and 
all  matters  connected  with  the  postal  service,  and  with 
keeping  the  department  advised  as  to  the  condition  and 
needs  of  the  service.  Alleged  violations  of  law  are  to  be 
investigated  and  reported  upon  by  them,  and  they  will, 
when  necessary,  aid  in  the  prosecution  of  all  criminal 
offenses. 

2.  Postmasters,  clerks,  employees,  contractors,  and 
others  connected  with  the  postal  service  are  subordinate 
to  post-office  inspectors  when  acting  within  the  scope  of 
thfcir  duty  and  employment.  But  no  arbitrary  power  is 
hereby  conferred  upon  them.  They  are  not  to  interfere 
with  any  officer  or  employee  who  is  in  the  proper  dis- 
charge of  his  duty  further  than  to  examine  his  methods, 
system,  and  accounts,  or  any  complaints  which  may  be 
made  against  him.  Nor  are  they  to  inferfere  with  the 
mails  or  the  tmnsportation  thereof,  except  as  expressly 
authorized  by  law,  and  as  permitted  by  the  regulations. 

3.  Inspectors  are  empowered  to  open  pouches  and  sacks 
and  examine  the  mails  therein  and  are  authorized  to  enter 
and  inspect  post  offices  at  all  times. 

*  -X-  *  *  •Jfr 

Sec.  158.  Omission  to  take  oath.— Every  person  employed  in  the 
postal  service  shall  be  subject  to  all  penalties  and  forfeitures  for  the 


EURAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  11 

violation,  of  the  laws  relating  to  such  ser-^ice,  whether  he  has  taken  the 
oath  of  office  or  not. 

See  sec.  29,  as  to  removals  from  classified  service. 

Sec.  159.— That  unless  otherwise  specially  authorized  by  law,  no 
money  appropriated  by  this  or  any  other  act  shall  be  available  for  pay- 
ment to  any  person  receiving  more  than  one  salary  when  the  combined 
amount  of  said  salaries  exceeds  the  sum  of  $2,000  per  annum,  but  this 
shall  not  apply  to  retired  officers  or  enlisted  men  of  the  Army,  Navy, 
Marine  Corps,  or  Coast  Guard,  or  to  officers  and  enlisted  men  of  the 
Organized  Militia  and  Naval  Militia  in  the  several  States,  Territories, 
and  the  District  of  Columbia.  (Act  of  May  10, 1916,  39  Stat.  120;  act  of 
Aug.  29,  1916, 39  Stat.  582.) 

Postmasters  should  not,  even  in  an  emergency,  employ  a 
rural  carrier  to  serve  more  than  one  route  ivhen  the  combined 
salaries  exceed  the  rate  of  ^2,000  per  annum. 

Sec.  163.  Political  contributions.— No  Senator  or  Representative  in 
or  Delegate  or  Resident  Commissioner  to,  Congress,  or  Senator,  Repre- 
sentative, Delegate,  or  Resident  Commissioner  elect,  or  officer  or  em- 
ployee of  either  House  of  Congress,  and  no  executive,  judicial,  military, 
or  naval  officer  of  the  United  States,  and  no  clerk  or  emploj^ee  of  any 
department,  branch,  or  bureau  of  the  executive,  judicial,  or  military  or 
naval  service  of  the  United  States,  shall  directly  or  indirectly  solicit  or 
receive,  or  be  in  any  manner  concerned  in  soliciting  or  rcc-eiving,  any 
assessment,  subscription,  or  contribution  for  any  political  pmpose  what- 
ever, from  any  officer,  clerk,  or  employee  of  the  United  States,  or  any 
department,  branch,  or  bureau  thereof,  or  from  any  person  receiving  any 
salary  or  compensation  from  moneys  derived  from  the  Treasury  of  the 
United  States.    (See  sec.  167.) 

Sec.  164.  No  person  shall,  in  any  room  or  building  occupied  in  the  dis- 
charge of  official  duties  by  any  officer  or  employee  of  the  United  States 
mentioned  in  the  preceding  section  (sec.  163,  P.  L.  and  R.),  or  in  any 
navy  yard,  fort,  or  arsenal,  solicit  in  any  manner  whatever  or  receive  any 
contribution  of  money  or  other  thing  of  value  for  any  political  pmix)se 
whatever.    (See  sec.  167.) 

Sec.  165.  No  officer,  clerk,  or  other  person  in  the  service  of  the  United 
States  shall,  directly  or  indirectly,  give  or  hand  over  to  any  other  officer, 
clerk,  or  person  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  or  to  any  Senator  or 


12  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    KEGULATIONS. 

Member  of  or  Delegate  to  Congress,  or  Resident  Commissioner,  any 
money  or  other  valuable  thing  on  account  of  or  to  be  applied  to  the  pro- 
motion of  any  political  object  whatever.    (See  sec.  167.) 

Sec.  166.  Immunity  from  official  proscription. — No  officer  or  em- 
ployee of  the  United  States  mentioned  in  section  one  hundi'cd  and  eight- 
een (sec.  163,  P.  L.  and  R.)  shall  discharge,  or  promote,  or  degrade,  or 
in  any  manner  change  the  official  rank  or  compensation  of  any  other 
officer  or  employee,  or  promise  or  threaten  so  to  do,  for  giving  or  with- 
holding or  neglecting  to  make  any  contribution  of  money  or  other  valu- 
able thing  for  any  political  pm-pose.    (See  sec.  167.) 

Sec.  167.  Punishment  for  violations.— Whoever  shall  violate  any 
provision  of  the  four  preceding  sections  (sees.  163, 164, 165,  and  166,  P.  L. 
and  R.)  shaU  be  fined  not  more  than  five  thousand  dollars,  or  imprisoned 
not  more  than  three  years,  or  both. 

Sec.  168.  Gifts. — No  officer,  clerk,  or  employee  in  the  United  States 
Government  employ  shall  at  any  time  solicit  contributions  from  other 
officers,  clerks,  or  employees  in  the  Government  service  for  a  gift  or 
present  to  those  in  a  superior  official  position;  nor  shall  any  such  offi- 
cials or  clerical  superiors  receive  any  gift  or  present  oflered  or  presented 
to  them  as  a  contribution  from  persons  in  Government  employ  receiving 
a  less  salary  than  themselves;  nor  shall  any  officer  or  clerk  make  any 
donation  as  a  gift  or  present  to  any  official  superior.  Every  person  who 
violates  this  section  shall  be  summarily  discharged  from  the  Government 
employ. 

2.  Whoever,  being  an  offioer  of  the  United  States,  or  a  person  acting 
for  or  on  behalf  of  the  United  States,  in  any  official  capacity,  under  or 
by  virtue  of  the  authority  of  any  department  or  office  of  the  Govern- 
ment thereof;  or  whoever,  being  an  officer  or  person  acting  for  or  on 
behalf  of  either  House  of  Congress,  or  of  any  committee  of  either  House, 
or  of  both  Houses  thereof,  shall  ask,  accept,  or  receive  any  money,  or  any 
contract,  promise,  undertaking,  obligation,  gratuity,  or  security  for  the 
payment  of  money,  or  for  the  delivery  or  conveyance  of  anything  of  value, 
with  intent  to  have  his  decision  or  action  on  any  question,  matter,  cause, 
or  proceeding  which  may  at  any  time  be  pending,  or  which  may  by  law 
be  brought  before  him  in  his  official  capacity,  or  in  his  place  of  trust  or 
profit,  influenced  thereby,  shall  be  fined  not  more  than  three  times  the 
amount  of  money  or  value  of  the  thing  so  asked,  accepted,  or  received, 
and  imprisoned  not  more  than  three  years;  and  shall,  moreover  forfeit 


BUBAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  IS 

his  office  or  place  and  thereafter  be  forever  disqualified  from  holding  an7 
office  of  honor,  trust,  or  profit  under  the  Government  of  the  United  States. 

Sec.  169.  Employees  interested  in  mail  contracts.— "^Tioever,  being 
a  person  employed  in  the  postal  service,  shall  become  interested  in  any 
contract  for  carrying  the  mail,  or  act  as  agent,  \vith  or  vrithout  compen- 
sation, for  any  contractor  or  person  offering  to  become  a  contractor  in  any 
business  before  the  department,  shall  be  immediately  dismissed  from 
office,  and  shall  be  fined  not  more  than  five  thousand  dollars,  or  impris- 
oned not  more  than  one  year,  or  both. 

Provided  *  *  *  That,  in  the  discretion  of  the  Postmaster  General, 
postmasters,  assistant  postmasters,  and  clerks  at  post  offices  of  the  third 
and  fourth  classes  may  enter  into  contracts  for  the  performance  of  mail- 
messenger  services,  *  *  *  Provided  *  *  *  That  the  total  amount 
payable  under  such  contract  to  any  postmaster,  assistant  postmaster 
or  clerk  shall  not  exceed  $300  in  any  one  year.    (Act  of  July  2S,  1916.) 

Sec.  170.  Employees  forbidden  to  receive  fees  from  public— No 
person  employed  in  the  postal  service  shall  receive  any  fees  or  perquisites 
on  account  of  the  duties  to  be  performed  by  virtue  of  his  appointment. 

Sec.  171.  Conduct  of  postal  employees. — Employees  in 
the  postal  service  shall  not  borrow  money  or  contract  debts 
which  they  have  no  reasonable  prospect  of  being  able  to 
pay.  They  are  expected  to  pay  their  just  debts,  but  the 
department  will  not  participate  in  the  collection  of  debts 
of  employees.  They  shall  not  solicit  nor  accept  from 
patrons  of  the  service,  in  person  or  through  others,  contri- 
butions of  money;  neither  shall  they  solicit  in  person  or 
through  others,  gifts,  presents,  advertisements,  or  benefits; 
issue  addresses,  complimentary  tickets,  prints,  publica- 
tions or  any  substitute  therefor  intended  or  calculated  to 
induce  the  public  to  make  them  gifts  or  presents;  dis- 
tribute, offer  for  sale,  or  collect  the  proceeds  of  the  sale 
of  tickets  for  theaters,  concerts,  balls,  fairs,  picnics,  ex- 
cursions, or  places  of  amusement  or  entertainments  of 
any  kind,  issue  for  profit  souvenirs  or  postal  handbooks 


14  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

to  secure  the  patronage  of  the  public ;  compile  city  direc- 
tories for  public  use  or  assist  publishers  in  compiling  the 
same;  nor  request  publishers  to  send  free  copies  thereof 
to  them,  nor  accept  any  money  or  gratuity  arising  from 
the  publication  of  such  directoTies, 

The  preceding  paragraphs  shall  not  be  interpreted  as 
prohibiting  the  solicitation  of  the  purchase  of  Govern- 
ment securities  of  any  character,  or  the  collection  of 
moneys  in  payment  of  such  securities,  under  instructions 
of  the  department. 

Sec.  171^.  Loss  of  or  damage  to  Government  property. — 
1.  T\Tienever  Government  property  of  any  kind  is  lost  or 
damaged  through  the  carelessness,  negligence,  willful- 
ness, or  malice  of  a  postal  employee,  the  facts  should  be 
reported  by  the  postmaster  to  the  proper  bureau  of  the 
Post  Office  Department  for  determination  as  to  whether 
such  postal  employee  shall  be  held  personally  responsible 
for  the  value  of  the  property  so  lost,  damaged,  or  destroyed. 

2.  Whenever  in  pursuance  of  the  preceding  paragraph 
a  postal  employee  is  held  to  be  personally  responsible  for 
the  value  of  any  Government  property  lost,  damaged,  or 
destroyed  by  him,  the  postmaster  at  the  post  office  to 
which  such  employee  is  attached  shall  withhold  £»»m  such 
employee  any  and  all  salary  or  compensation  due  such 
employee  until  he  has  paid  over  to  the  postmaster  such 
amount  of  money  as  the  department  may  determine  to  be 
the  value  of  the  property  lost,  damaged,  or  destroyed. 
The  postmaster  shall  account  for  such  money  in  his 
quarterly  postal  account  under  the  head  of  Miscellaneous 
Receipts. 


EURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  15 

Sec.  171f.  Employees  forbidden  to  place  personal  in- 
dorsements on  mail  matter. — Employees  in  the  Postal 
Service  are  prohibited  from  placing  personal  or  unofficial 
indorsements  or  messages  of  any  kind  upon  mail  matter 
handled  by  them  in  their  official  capacity. 

Sec.  300.  Instructions  for  civil-service  examinations. — 
*  -  ■■•'  4.  No  officer  or  employee  of  the  Government 
shall,  directly  or  indirectly,  instruct  or  be  concerned  in 
any  manner  in  the  instruction  of  any  person  or  classes  of 
persons,  with  a  view  to  their  special  preparation  for  the 
examinations  of  the  United  States  Civil  Service  Commis- 
sion. The  fact  that  any  ofTicer  or  employee  is  found  so 
engaged  shall  be  considered  sufficient  cause  for  his  removal 
from  the  service. 

Sec.  332.  Unlawful  pledging  or  sale  of  stamps.— "Whoever,  being  a 
I)ostniastcr  or  other  person  employed  in  any  branch  of  the  Postal  Service, 
and  being  intrusted  with  the  sale  or  custod  j^  of  postage  stamps,  stamped 
envelopes,  or  postal  cards,  .shall  use  or  dispose  of  them  in  the  payment  of 
debts,  orin  the  pm-chasc  of  merchandise  or  other  salable  articles,  or  pledge 
or  hypothecate  the  same,  or  sell  or  dispose  of  them  except  for  cash;  or 
sell  or  dispose  of  postage  stamps  or  postal  cards  for  any  larger  or  less  sum 
than  the  values  indicated  on  their  faces;  or  sell  or  dispose  of  stamped 
envelopes  for  a  larger  or  less  sum  than  is  charged  tlicrcfor  by  the  Post 
Office  Department  for  like  quantities;  or  sell  or  dispose  of,  or  cause  to  be 
sold  or  disposed  of,  postage  stamps,  stamped  onvelopos,  or  postal  cards  at 
any  point  or  place  outside  of  the  delivery  of  the  ofTice  v.here  such  post- 
master or  other  person  is  employed;  or  induce  or  attempt  to  induce,  for 
the  purpose  of  increasing  the  emoluments  or  compensation  of  such 
postmaster,  or  the  emoluments  or  compensation  of  any  other  person 
employed  in  such  post  ofSce  or  any  station  thereof,  or  the  allowances  or 
facilities  provided  therefor,  any  person  to  purchase  at  such  post  office 
or  any  station  thereof,  or  from  any  employee  of  such  post  office,  postage 
stamps,  stamped  envelopes,  or  postal  cards;  or  sell  or  dispose  of  postage 
stamps,  stamped  envelopes,  or  postal  cards,  otherwise  than  as  provided 


16  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

by  law  or  the  regulations  of  the  Post  Office  Department,  shall  be  fined 
not  more  than  five  hundred  dollars,  or  imprisoned  not  more  than  one 
year,  or  both. 

See  sec.  270,  as  to  unusual  sales  of  stamped  paper. 

Sec.  341 1.  War-saving  certificates  and  stamps.—*  *  '- 
2.  In  connection  ^vith  the  operations  of  advertising,  selling, 
and  delivering,  *  *  *  war-saAn.ngs  certificates  of  the 
United  States  provided  for  in  this  act,  the  Postmaster 
General,  under  such  regulations  as  he  may  prescribe,  shall 
require,  at  the  request  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
the  employees  of  the  Post  Office  Department  and  of 
the  Postal  Service  to  perform  such  services  as  may  be 
necessary,  desirable,  or  practicable,  without  extra  com- 
pensation.    (Sec.  9,  act  of  Sept.  24,  1917.) 

3.  Stamps  known  as  United  States  war-sa\angs  certifi- 
cate stamps  and  as  United  States  Government  thrif 
stamps,  furnished  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  undert 
authority  of  the  act  referred  to  in  the  preceding  para- 
graphs, shall  be  issued  by  the  Third  Assistant  Postmaster 
General,  Division  of  Stamps,  to  postmasters  at  all  account- 
ing post  oflices.  Postmasters  at  central-accounting  offices 
shall  supply  such  stamps  to  postmasters  at  district  money- 
order  offices  accounting  to  such  central-accounting  offices. 
Central-accounting  postmasters  shall  allow  to  district 
money-order  postmasters  a  fixed  credit  for  war-savings 
certificate  stamps  and  thrift  stamps.  Postmasters  at 
nonmoney-order  offices  shall  obtain  such  stamps,  as  sold, 
from  their  respective  central-accounting  offices.  Rural 
and  city  carriers  shall  sell  the  stamps  and  shall  be  supplied 
by  postmasters  on  fixed  credit. 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  17 

17.  Postmasters,  rural  carriers,  city  caniers,  and  all 
other  employees  of  the  Postal  Service  shall  make  every 
possible  effort  to  promote  the  sale  of  war-savings  certifi- 
cate stamps  and  thrift  stamps,  and  to  this  end  shall  bring 
the  same  to  the  attention  of  the  public,  explaining  the 
plan  under  which  the  stamps  are  issued  and  sold  and 
emphasizing  their  advantages  as  a  means  not  only  of  sav- 
ing but  also  of  rendering  patriotic  assistance  to  the  Gov- 
ernment. 

Fixed  credits  to  *  ="  *  carriers  for  war-savings 
and  thrift  stamps. — Fixed  credits  granted  by  postmasters 
to  city  or  rural  carriers  for  war-savings  and  thrift  stamps, 
under  the  provisions  of  paragraph  11,  page  9,  of  the  instruc- 
tions issued  November  17, 1917,  should  be  limited  for  ordi- 
nary service  to  10  war-savings  stamps  and  50  thrift  stamps, 
unless  exceptional  conditions  require  a  gi-eater  amount. 

Special  credits,  to  he  closed  the  same  day,  may  be  granted 
to  carriers  to  meet  large  orders.  Postmasters  will  exercise 
discretion  in  granting  special  credits,  and  satisfy  them- 
selves by  careful  inquiry  as  to  the  necessity  therefor. 
Sufficient  stamps  needed  for  actual  sales  should  be  pro- 
vided, but  excessive  quantities  should  not  be  furnished 
to  carriers  because  of  the  serious  danger  of  damage  or  loss. 

Sec.  342.  Postage-stamp   credits    to     employees. — 

*  *  *  4.  Postmasters  shall  issue  to  superintendents 
and  clerks  in  charge  of  stations,  stamp  clerks,  and  rural 
carriers  a  sufficient  supply  of  postage  stamps  and  other 
stamped  paper,  within  the  amounts  of  t'le  respective 
bonds  of  these  employees,  to  meet  the  public  demand. 
32657°— 21 2 


18  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

The  postmasters  shall  take  receipts  for  stamp  supplies  so 
issued,  and  carry  the  supplies  in  their  records  as  stock 
on  hand.  Money  received  from  the  sale  of  stamped  paper 
to  the  public  shall  be  used  by  the  superintendents  and 
clerks  in  charge  of  stations,  stamp  clerks,  and  rural  carriers 
to  purchase  additional  stamp  supplies  from  the  post- 
master as  needed.  Postmasters  shall  take  inventories  not 
less  frequently  than  once  in  three  months  of  the  stamped 
paper  and  cash  held  by  employees  to  whom  stamp  sup- 
plies are  intrusted.  Upon  discontinuance  of  the  service 
of  such  an  employee,  the  stamped  paper  and  cash  held  by 
him  shall  be  returned  to  the  postmaster. 

Sec.  344.  Eedemption  of  stamped  paper. — Postage 
stamps,  or  special-delivery  stamps,  whether  affixed  to  en- 
velopes or  not,  shall  not  be  redeemed  from  the  public,  nor 
exchanged  for  other  postage  stamps,  stamped  envelopes, 
newspaper  ^vrappers,  or  postal  cards,  except  as  provided  in 
paragraph  7.  Stamps  removed  from  embossed  stamped 
envelopes,  newspaper  '\;vTappers,  or  postal  cards  shall  not 
be  redeemed  nor  accepted  in  payment  of  postage. 

>]f:  :ii  ^  :^  ¥r 

7.  Allien,  through  inadvertence,  a  postmaster  sells 
damaged  or  unser\dceable  postage  stamps,  international 
reply  coupons,  stamped  envelopes,  newspaper  wrappers, 
or  postal  cards,  or  when  a  patron  through  error  purchases 
postage  stamps  of  the  wrong  denomination,  or  stamped 
envelopes  of  the  wrong  color,  quality,  size,  or  denomina- 
tion, or  newspaper  wtappers  of  the  wrong  denomination, 
or  postal  cards  of  the  wrong  size,  postmasters  may  exchange 
Buch  stampec'.  paper  at  full  value,  provided  that  it  is  pre- 
sented for  exchange  by  the  original  purchaser  thereof 


RURAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  19 

within  a  reasonable  time  after  the  sale,  not  to  exceed  two 
business  days.  Errors  made  by  purchasers  in  ordering 
special-request  envelopes  shall  be  adjusted  by  redemption 
at  postage  value  only.     *    *    * 

***** 
Sec.  395.  Domestic  rates  and  conditions. — The  domes- 
tic rates  of  postage  and  conditions  apply  to  mail  addressed 
for  local  delivery,  or  for  transmission  from  one  place  to 
another  within  the  United  States,  or  to  or  from  or  between 
the  possessions  of  the  United  States,  and  to  that  for  trans- 
mission to  or  from  the  United  States  or  its  possessions  and 
officers  or  members  of  crews  of  United  States  naval  vessels 
and  to  or  from  the  United  States  postal  agency  at  Shanghai, 
China,  and  to  officers  and  men  of  the  United  States  Navy 
in  the  United  States  naval  hospital  at  Yokohama,  Japan. 
The  term  "United  States  and  its  possessions"  includes 
Porto  Rico,  Hawaii,  the  Philippine  Islands,  Guam, 
Tutuila  and  Manua  Islands  of  the  Samoan  group,  the 
Canal  Zone  and  the  Virgin  Islands  of  the  United  States. 

Sec.  396.  Prepayment  of  postage. — Postage  on  all  mail  matter  must 
be  prepaid  by  stamps  at  the  time  of  mailing,  unless  herein  otherwise 
provided  for. 

Sec.  397.  Deficiency  in  postage. —  *  *  *  If  any  mail  matter,  on 
which  by  law  the  postage  is  required  to  be  prepaid  at  the  mailing  office, 
shall  by  inadvertence  reach  its  destination  without  any  prepayment, 
double  the  prepaid  rates  shall  be  charged  and  collected  on  delivery. 

Sec.  338.  First-class  matter.— Mailable  matter  of  the  first  class  shall 
embrace  letters,  postal  cards,  and  all  matter  wholly  or  partly  in  writing, 
except  as  hereinafter  provided. 

For  the  exceptions  see  sees.  441,  447,  451,  453,  and  458. 

2.  All  matter  sealed  or  otherwise  closed  against  inspec- 
tion shall  be  treated  as  first-class  matter.     (See  sec.  469.) 


20  POSTAL   LAWS   AND    REGULATIONS. 

Sec.  399.  Rate  of  postage  on  first-class  mattar.— Upon  all  matter 
ofthe  first  class  *  *  *  postage  shall  be  charged  *  *  *  at  the  rate 
of  two  cents  for  each  ounce  or  fraction  thereof;  and  drop  letters  shall  be 
mailed  at  the  rate  of  two  cents  per  ounce  or  fraction  thereof,  including 
delivery  at  letter-carrier  offices,  and  one  cent  for  each  ounce  or  fraction 
thereof  where  free  delivery  by  carrier  is  not  established.  (Acts  of  Mar. 
3, 1885,  23,  Stat.  387,  sec.  1,  and  Feb.  24, 1919,  sec.  1401.) 

2.  Postage  on  letters  deposited  in  rural  or  star-route 
boxes,  or  mailed  to  persons  who  are  ser^^ed  by  rural  or 
star-route  carriers,  shall  be  charged  at  the  rate  of  two  cents 
for  each  ounce  or  fraction  thereof. 

3.  When  persons  or  concerns  of  any  city  or  place  send 
their  letters  in  bulk  for  mailing  for  local  delivery  at  a  post 
office  at  another  place  where  the  one-cent  drop-letter  rate 
is  applicable,  such  letters  are  not  drop  letters  and  are  not 
entitled  to  the  1-cent  drop-letter  rate,  but  shall  be  charged 
with  postage  at  the  rate  of  two  cents  for  each  ounce  or  frac- 
tion of  an  ounce. 

Note.— A  drop  letter  is  one  addressed  for  delivery  from  the  office  at 
which  it  is  posted.    There  is  no  drop  rate  on  any  matter  except  letters. 
(See  sec.  408  as  to  rates  of  postage  on  ship  and  steamboat  letters.) 

Sec.  400.  Postal  cards  shall  be  transmitted  through  the  mails  at  a 
postage  charge  of  1  cent  each,  including  the  cost  of  manufacture.  (Acts 
of  Mar.  3, 1879,  20  Stat.  358,  sec.  9,  and  Feb.  24, 1919,  sec.  1401.) 

(Sec  sees.  127  and  128  as  to  postal  cards.) 

Sec.  401.  Postal  cards. — Postal  cards  issued  by  the  Post 
Office  Department  may  bear  written,  printed,  or  other 
additions  as  follows: 

(a)  The  face  of  the  card  may  be  divided  by  a  vertical 
line  placed  approximately  one-third  of  the  distance  from 
the  left  end  of  the  card;  the  space  to  the  left  of  the  line  to 
be  used  for  a  message,  etc.,  but  the  space  to  the  right  for 
th^  address  orjy. 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  21 

(5)  Addresses  upon  postal  cards  *  *  *  may  be  either 
written,  printed,  or  affixed  thereto,  at  the  option  of  the 
sender. 

(c)  Very  thin  sheets  of  paper  may  be  attached  to  the 
card  on  condition  that  they  completely  adhere  thereto. 

(d)  Advertisements,  illustrations,  or  writing  may  ap- 
pear on  the  back  of  the  card  and  on  the  left  third  of  the 
face. 

2.  The  addition  to  a  postal  card  of  matter  other  than 
as  above  authorized  destroys  its  privilege  as  a  postal  card 
and  subjects  it  to  postage  according  to  the  character  of 
the  message — at  the  letter  rate  if  wholly  or  partly  in  writ- 
ing, or  the  third-class  rate  if  entii'ely  in  print — but  does 
not  impair  the  postage  value  of  the  stamp  impressed  on 
the  card. 

Sec.  402.  Private  mailing  cards  ("post  cards")  authorized.— It  shall 
be  lawful  to  transmit  by  mail,  at  the  postage  rate  of  a  cent  apiece ,  payable 
by  stamps  to  be  aflOxed  by  the  sender,  and  under  such  regulations  as 
the  Postmaster  General  may  prescribe,  written  messages  on  private 
mailing  cards,  such  cards  to  be  sent  openly  in  the  mails,  to  be  no  larger 
than  the  size  fixed  by  the  Convention  of  the  Universal  Postal  Union, 
and  to  be  approximately  of  the  same  form,  quality,  and  weight  as  the 
stamped  postal  card  now  in  general  use  in  the  United  States.  (Acts  of 
May  19, 1898,  30  Stat.  419,  and  Feb.  24, 1919,  sec.  1401.) 

Sec.  403.  Requiremeiits  for  post  cards. — Private  mailing 
cards  ("post  cards")  in  the  domestic  mails  shall  conform 
to  the  following  conditions: 

(a)  A  "post  card"  shall  be  an  unfolded  piece  of  card- 
board not  exceeding  approximately  3-^  by  5^  inches  nor 
less  than  approximately  2|  by  4  inches. 

(6)  It  shall  in  form  and  in  the  quality  and  weight  of 
paper  be  substantially  like  the  Government  postal  card. 


22  POSTAL,   LAWS   AND   REGULATIONS. 

(c)  It  may  be  of  any  color  not  interfering  with  a  legible 
address  and  postmark. 

{d)  It  may  or  may  not,  at  the  option  of  the  sender,  bear 
near  the  top  of  the  face  the  Words  "Post  card." 

(e)  The  face  of  the  card  may  be  divided  by  a  vertical 
line;  the  left  half  to  be  used  for  a  message,  etc.,  but  that  to 
the  right  for  the  address  only. 

(/)  Very  thin  sheets  of  paper  may  be  attached  to  the 
card,  and  then  only  on  condition  that  they  completely 
adhere  thereto. 

{g)  Advertisements  and  illustrations  may  appear  on  the 
back  of  the  card  and  on  the  left  half  of  the  face. 

2.  It  is  desirable  that  post  cards  bear  in  the  upper  right 
comer  of  the  face  an  oblong  diagram  containing  the  words 
"Place  postage  stamp  here, ' '  and  at  the  bottom  of  the  space 
to  the  right  of  the  vertical  dividing  line  the  words  "This 
space  for  the  address." 

3.  Cards  which  do  not  conform  to  the  prescribed  condi- 
tions shall  be  charged  with  postage  according  to  the  char- 
acter of  the  message — at  the  letter  rate  if  wholly  or  partly 
in  writing,  or  the  third-class  rate  if  entii'ely  in  print. 

4.  Cards  bearing  particles  of  glass,  metal,  mica,  sand, 
tinsel,  or  other  similar  substances,  shall  not  be  accepted 
for  mailing,  except  when  inclosed  in  envelopes  tightly 
sealed  to  prevent  the  escape  of  such  particles,  or  when 
treated  in  such  manner  as  will  prevent  the  objectionable 
substances  from  being  rubbed  off  or  injuring  persons  han- 
dling the  mails. 

Note.— Cards  mailed  under  cover  of  sealed  envelopes  (transparent  or 
otherwise)  shall  be  charged  with  postage  at  the  first-class  rate,  and,  if  in 
unsealed  envelopes,  according  to  the  character  of  the  message.  The 
postage  stamps  should  be  affixed  to  the  envelopes  covering  the  cards. 
Stamps  affixed  to  matter  inclosed  in  envelopes  can  not  bo  recognized  in 
payment  of  postage  thereon. 


BUBAL    MAIL    SEEVICE.  23 

Sec.  405.  Insufficiently  prepaid  first-class  matter.— All  mail  mat- 
ter of  the  first-class  upon  wliich  one  full  rate  of  postage  has  been  prepaid 
shall  be  forwarded  to  its  destination,  charged  with  the  unpaid  rate,  to  be 
collected  on  delivery;    *    *    *. 

Sec.  406.  Soldiers',  sailors',  and  marines'  letters. — 
*  *  *  2.  Letters  seat  by  soldiers,  sailors,  and  marines 
in  the  United  States  service,  located  in  the  United  States 
or  any  of  its  possessions,  or  other  places  where  the  United 
States  domestic  mail  ser\T.ce  is  in  operation,  addressed  to 
places  in  the  United  States  or  any  of  its  possessions,  when 
indorsed  "Soldier's  letter,  "  "Sailor's  letter,"  or  "Marine's 
letter,"  and  signed  thereunder,  either  with  facsimile  hand 
stamp  or  in  writing,  with  his  official  designation,  by  a  field 
or  staff  officer,  post  or  detachment  commander,  to  whose 
command  the  soldier  belongs,  or  by  a  surgeon  or  chaplain 
at  a  hospital  where  he  may  be ;  and  in  the  Navy  and  marine 
service  by  any  commissioned  officer  attached  to  the  ves- 
sel, or  officer  commanding  a  hospital  or  detachment 
ashore,  may  be  dispatched  to  destination  without  prepay- 
ment of  postage,  and  only  the  single  rate  of  postage  shall 
be  collected  on  delivery. 

Sec.  409.  Weather  Bureau  reports. — ^^"eather  Bureau  re- 
ports shall  be  treated  as  letter  mail,  whether  sent  by  officers 
of  the  service  under  penalty  envelopes  or  by  private  per- 
sons and  prepaid  by  stamps. 

Distribution  of  weather  forecasts  on  rural  routes. — 
The  United  States  Weather  Bureau  is  desirous  of  effecting 
as  widespread  a  distribution  as  possible  of  the  daily 
weather  forecasts,  and  finds  the  Rural  Delivery  Service 
to  be  an  excellent  medium  for  this  distribution.  It  is 
the  desire  of  the  department  that  postmasters  and  rural 
carriers  cooperate  as  far  as  possible  in  the  distribution  of 


2^  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

these  forecasts,  which  will  be  treated  as  other  official 
mail  matter.  Occasionally,  o^ving  to  unfavorable  weather 
or  other  conditions,  telegrams  containing  forecasts  are  de- 
layed. In  such  instances  earners  should  not  be  held  for 
an  undue  length  of  time  for  their  receipt,  but  reports  of 
the  delay  should  be  made  to  the  sending  offices  in  order 
that  steps  may  be  taken,  where  prax^ticable,  to  remedy  the 
matter. 

Sec.  411.  Second-class  matter.— Mailable  matter  of  the  second  clafes 
shall  embrace  aU  newspapers  and  other  periodical  pabKcations  which  are 
issued  at  stated  intervals,  and  as  frequently  as  fom-  times  a  year  and  are 
within  the  conditions  named  in  sections  twelve  and  fourteen. 

Note.— Sees.  12  and  14  referred  to  are  given  as  sees.  466  and  412.  P.  L. 
and  R.  There  are  two  classes  of  second-class  matter:  (1)  That  sent  by 
pubhshers  or  news  agents  (see  sec.  429);  (2)  that  sent  by  others  than  pub- 
lishers or  news  agents  (see  sec.  436). 

See  sec.  433,  as  to  definition  of  "newspapers"  and  "periodical  publi- 
cations." 

Sec.  433.  Free  county  matter  and  rates  on  second-class  matter 
at  letter-carrier  offices.- Publication  of  the  second  class,  one  copy  to 
each  actual  subscriber  residing  in  the  county  where  the  same  are  printed 
in  whole  or  in  part,  and  published,  shall  go  fi-ee  through  the  mails;  but 
the  same  shall  not  be  delivered  at  letter-carrier  offices  or  distributed  by 
carriers,  unless  postage  is  paid  thereon  at  the  rate  prescribed  in  section 
thirteen  of  this  act  (the  cent-a-pound  rate):  Provided,  That  the  rate  of 
postage  on  nev/spapers,  e:-:cepting  weeklies,  and  periodicals  not  exceed- 
ing two  ounces  in  w^eight,  when  the  same  are  deposited  in  a  letter-carrier 
office  for  delivery  by  its  carriers,  shall  be  uniform  at  one  cent  each; 
jieriodicals  weighing  more  than  two  ounces  shall  be  subject,  when  deliv- 
ered by  such  carriers,  to  a  postage  of  two  cents  each,  and  these  rates 
shaU  be  prepaid  by  stamps  affi-xed. 

IJ.  (a)  The  rate  of  postage  on  daily  newspapers  when  the  same  are 
deposited  in  a  letter-carrier  office  for  delivery  by  its  carriers  shall  be  the 
same  as  now  provided  by  law  (1  cent  each);  and  nothing  in  this  title 
shall  affect  existing  law  as  to  free  circulation  and  existing  rates  on  second- 
class  mail  matter  within  the  county  of  publication.  (Act  of  Oct.  3, 1917, 
sec.  1102.) 


EURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  25 

(&)  Publications  of  the  second  class  (mailed  for  delivery  within  the 
county),  when  sent  by  the  publisher  thereof,  and  from  the  office  of  pub- 
lication, or  when  sent  from  a  news  agency  to  actual  subscribers  thereto 
or  to  other  news  agents,  shall  *  *  *  be  entitled  to  transmission 
through  the  mails  at  1  cent  a  pound  or  a  fraction  thereof  (except  as  other- 
wise provided  in  the  preceding  and  following  paragraphs  of  this  section). 
(Acts  of  Mar.  3, 1885,  and  Oct.  3,  1917.) 

2.  The  right  of  a  publisher  to  mail  his  publication  free 
of  postage,  including  delivery  by  rural  or  star-route  car- 
riers, under  the  provisions  of  this  section,  depends  upon 
the  existence  of  the  three  following  conditions: 

First.  The  addressee  must  be  an  actual  subscriber. 

Second.  The  residence  of  the  subscriber  must  actually 
be  within  the  county  in  which  the  publication  is  printed, 
in  whole  or  in  part,  and  published. 

Third.  The  publication  must  be  addressed  for  delivery 

from  a  post  office  (or  rural  route  emanating  from  such 

post  office)  not  having  city- delivery  service. 

***** 

Sec.  435.  Rate  on  transient  publications. — The  rate  of  postage  on 
newspaper  and  periodical  pubUcations  of  the  second  class,  when  sent  by 
others  than  the  pubhsher  or  news  agent,  shall  be  one  cent  for  each  four 
ounces  or  fractional  part  thereof,  and  shall  be  fully  prepaid  by  postage 
stamps  affixed  to  said  matter. 

***** 

1§.  Where  a  newspaper  or  periodical  is  mailed  by  other  than  the  pub- 
lisher or  his  agent  or  a  news  agent  or  dealer,  the  rate  shall  be  the  same 
as  now  provided  by  law  (1  cent  for  each  4  ounces  or  fraction  thereof). 
(Act  of  Oct.  3, 1917,  see.  1106.) 

Sec.  441.  Permisaible  writing,  printing,  or  additions  on  second- 
class  matter.— Mailable  matter  of  the  second  class  shall  contain  no 
writing,  print,  or  sign  thereon  or  therein  in  addition  to  the  original  print, 
except  as  herein  provided,  to  wit:  The  name  and  address  of  the  person 
to  whom  the  matter  shall  be  sent,  index  figures  of  subscription  book 
either  printed  or  written,  the  printed  title  of  the  publication  and  the- 


26  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    KEGULATIONS. 

place  of  its  publication,  the  printed  or  written  name  and  address  without 
addition  of  advertisement  of  the  publisher  or  sender,  or  both,  and  written 
or  printed  words  or  figures,  or  both,  indicating  the  date  on  which  the 
subscription  to  such  matter  will  end,  the  correction  of  any  typographical 
error,  a  mark,  except  by  written  or  printed  words,  to  designate  a  word 
or  passage  to  which  it  is  desired  to  call  attention;  the  words  "sample 
copy"  when  the  matter  is  sent  as  such,  the  words  "marked  copy"  when 
the  matter  contains  a  marked  item  or  article.  And  publishers  or  news 
agents  may  inclose  in  their  pubhcations  biUs,  receipts,  and  orders  for 
subscriptions  thereto,  but  the  same  shall  be  in  such  form  as  to  convey 
no  other  information  than  the  name,  place  of  publication,  subscription 
price  of  the  publication  to  which  they  refer,  and  the  subscription  due 
thereon. 

*  *  *  *  * 

Sec.  447.  Third-class  matter.— Mail  matter  of  the  thu'd  class  shall 
embrace  *  *  *  circulars,  and  (except  books)  other  matter  wholly  in 
print  (not  included  in  sec.  12),  proof  sheets,  corrected  proof  sheets,  and 
manuscript  copy  accompanying  the  same,  and  postage  shaUbe  paid  at  the 
rate  of  one  cent  for  each  two  ounces  or  fractional  part  thereof,  and  shall 
fuUy  be  prepaid  by  postage  stamps  affixed  to  said  matter. 

Sec.  451.  Letters  for  the  blind.— All  letters  ^viitten  in  point  print 
or  raised  characters  used  by  the  bUnd,  when  unsealed,  shall  be  trans 
mitted  through  the  mails  as  third-class  matter.    *    *    * 

Sec.  453.  Permissible  additions  on  third-class  matter. — 

*  *  *  3.  It  is  permissible  to  place  on  third-class  matter, 
or  on  a  card  inclosed  therewith,  a  written  designation  of 
contents,  a  serial  number,  and  such  simple  inscriptions  as 
"Meny  Christmas,"  ''Happy  New  Yeai',"  ''Dear  Sir," 
"My  Dear  Friend,"  "Sincerely  yours,"  "With  best 
wishes." 

***** 

7.  The  words  "Please  send  out,"  or  "Post  up,"  or  other 
similar  directions  or  requests  not  part  of  the  addi'ess  nor 
necessary  to  delivery,  written  on  the  wrapper  of  a  package 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  27 

of  third-class  matter,  subject  it  to  postage  at  the  first-class 
rate.     (See  sec.  399.) 

Sec.  454.  Eourth-class  matter. — Fourth-class  mail  matter 
shall  embrace  all  other  matter,  including  farm  and  factory- 
products  (and  books),  not  now  embraced  by  law  in  either 
the  fii'st  or  second  class,  or  (-v^dth  the  exception  of  books)  in 
the  third  class,  not  exceeding  70  pounds  in  weight  (when 
mailed  for  delivery  within  the  first,  second,  or  third  zones, 
nor  exceeding  50  pounds  in  weight  when  mailed  for  de- 
livery ^vithin  any  of  the  other  zones),  nor  greater  in  size 
than  84  inches  in  length  and  gh*th  combined,  nor  in  form 
or  kind  likely  to  injure  the  person  of  any  postal  employee 
or  damage  the  mail  equipment  or  other  mail  matter  and 
not  of  a  character  perishable  within  a  period  reasonably 
requii-ed  for  transportation  and  delivery. 

2.  For  tne  purposes  of  this  section  (sec.  8,  act  Aug.  24, 1912)  the  United 
States  and  its  several  Territories  and  possessions,  excepting  the  Philip- 
pLne  Islands,  shall  be  divided  into  units  of  area  thirty  minutes  square 
identical  with  a  quarter  of  the  area  formed  by  the  intersecting  parallels 
of  latitude  and  meridians  of  longitude,  represented  on  appropriate  postal 
maps  or  plans,  and  such  units  of  area  shall  be  the  basis  of  eight  postal 
zones,  as  follows: 

(a)  The  first  zone  shall  include  all  territory  within  such  quadrangle, 
in  conjunction  with  every  contiguous  quadrangle,  representing  an  area 
having  a  mean  radial  distance  of  approximately  fifty  miles  from  the  cen- 
ter of  any  given  unit  of  area, 

(6)  The  second  zone  shall  include  all  imits  of  area  outside  the  first  zone 
lying  in  whole  or  in  part  within  a  radius  of  approximately  one  hundred 
and  fifty  miles  from  the  center  of  a  given  unit  of  area. 

(c)  The  third  zone  shall  include  aU  units  of  area  outside  the  second  zone 
lying  in  whole  or  in  part  within  a  radius  of  approximately  three  hundred 
miles  from  the  center  of  a  given  unit  of  area. 

(d)  The  fourth  zone  shaUinclude  all  units  of  area  outside  the  third  zone 
lying  in  whole  or  in  part  within  a  radius  of  approximately  six  hundred 
miles  from  the  center  of  a  givan  unit  of  area. 


28  JfOSTAL   LAV/S   AND   REGULATIONS. 

(e)  The  fifth  zone  shall  include  all  units  of  area  outside  the  fourth  zone 
lying  in  whole  or  in  part  ■WT.thin  a  radius  of  approximately  one  thousand 
miles  from  the  center  of  a  given  unit  of  area. 

(/)  The  sixth  zone  shall  include  all  units  of  area  outside  the  fifth  zone 
Ijdngin  whole  or  in  part  vidthin  a  radius  of  approximately  one  thousand 
four  hundred  nules  from  the  center  of  a  given  unit  of  area. 

(g)  The  seventh  zone  shall  include  all  units  of  area  outside  the  sixth 
zonelyingin  whole  or  in  part  within  a  radius  of  approximately  one  thou- 
sand eight  hundred  miles  from  the  center  of  a  given  unit  of  area. 

(Ji)  The  eighth  zone  shall  include  all  units  of  area  outside  the  seventh 
zone. 

Sec.  455.  E-ates  of  postage.— The  rate  of  postage  on  fourth-class 
matter  v/eighing  not  more  than  foui*  ounces  shall  be  one  cent  for  each 
ounce  or  fraction  of  an  ounce;  and  on  such  matter  in  excess  of  fom-  ounces 
in  weight  the  rate  shall  be  by  the  pound,  as  hereinafter  provided,  the 
postage  in  all  cases  to  be  prepaid  by    =i=    *    *   postage  stamps  affixed. 

2.  Except  as  provided  in  the  next  preceding  paragraph  postage  on  mat- 
ter of  the  fourth-class  shall  be  prepaid  at  the  following  rates: 

(a)  On  all  matter  mailed  at  the  post  office  from  which  a  rm-al  route 
starts,  for  delivery  on  such  route,  or  mailed  at  any  point  on  such  route  for 
dehvery  at  any  other  point  thereon,  or  at  the  office  from  which  the  route 
starts,  or  on  any  rural  route  starting  therefrom,  and  on  all  matter  maUed 
at  a  city  carrier  office,  or  at  any  point  within  its  dehvery  limits,  for  dehv- 
ery by  carriers  from  that  office,  or  at  any  office,  for  local  dehvery,  five 
cents  for  the  first  pound  or  fraction  of  a  pound  and  one  cent  for  each  addi- 
tional (two  poixnds  or  fraction  thereof). 

(6)  For  dehvery  within  the  first  zone,  five  cents  for  the  first  pound  or 
fraction  of  a  pound,  and  one  cent  for  each  additional  pound  or  fraction 
of  a  pound,  except  as  provided  in  the  next  preceding  paragraph  (and 
except  where  the  distance  by  the  shortest  regular  mail  route  from  the 
office  of  origin  to  the  office  of  dehvery  is  300  miles  or  more,  in  which  case 
the  rates  of  postage  shaU  be  six  cents  for  the  first  pound  or  fraction  of  a 
pound  and  two  cents  for  each  additional  poimd  or  fraction  of  a  pound). 

(c)  For  dehvery  within  the  second  zone,  five  cents  for  the  first  pound 
or  fraction  of  a  pound,  and  one  cent  for  each  additional  pound  or  fraction 
of  a  pound  (except  where  the  distance  by  the  shortest  regular  mail  route 
from  the  office  of  origin  to  the  office  of  dehvery  is  300  miles  or  more,  in 
which  case  the  rates  of  postage  shall  be  six  cents  for  the  first  pound  or 


RURAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  29 

fraction  of  a  pound  and  two  cents  for  each  additional  pound  or  fraction 
of  a  pound). 

((Z)  For  delivery  within  the  third  zone,  six  cents  for  the  first  pound  or 
fraction  of  a  pound  and  two  cents  for  each  additional  pound  or  fraction 
01  a  pound. 

(e)  For  delivery  within  the  fourth  zone,  seven  cents  for  the  first  pound 
or  fraction  of  a  pound  and  four  cents  for  each  additional  pound  or  fraction 
of  a  pound. 

(/)  For  deUvery  within  the  fifth  zone,  eight  cents  for  the  first  pound 
or  fraction  of  a  pound  and  six  cents  for  each  additional  pound  or  fraction 
of  a  pound, 

(g)  For  deUvery  within  the  sixth  zone,  nine  cents  for  the  first  pound 
or  fraction  of  a  pound  and  eight  cents  for  each  additional  pound  or  frac- 
tion of  a  pound. 

(ft)  For  delivery  v/ithin  the  seventh  zone,  eleven  cents  for  the  first 
poimd  or  fraction  of  a  pound  and  ten  cents  for  each  additional  pound  or 
fraction  of  a  pound. 

(i)  For  deUvery  %vithin  the  eighth  zone  and  between  the  Philippine 
Islands  and  any  portion  of  the  United  States,  including  the  District  of 
Columbia  and  the  several  Territories  and  possessions,  twelve  cents  for  the 
first  pound  or  fraction  of  a  pound  and  twelve  cents  for  each  additional 
pound  or  fraction  of  a  pound. 

3.  The  classification  of  articles  mailable  as  well  as  the  weight  Umit,  the 
rates  of  postage,  zone  or  zones,  and  other  conditions  of  mailabiLity  under 
this  act,  if  the  Postmaster  General  shall  find  on  experience  that  they  or 
any  of  them  are  such  as  to  prevent  the  shipment  of  articles  desirable,  or 
to  permanently  render  the  cost  of  the  service  greater  than  the  receipts  of 
the  revenue  therefrom,  he  is  hereby  authorized,  subject  to  the  consent  of 
the  Interstate  Commerce  Commission  after  investigation,  to  re-form  from 
time  to  time  such  classification,  weight  limit,  rates,  zone  or  zones  or  con- 
ditions, or  either,  in  order  to  promote  the  ser\-ice  to  the  pubUc  or  to  insure 
the  receipt  of  revenue  from  such  service  adequate  to  pay  the  cost  thereof. 

Sec.  456.  Rates  of  postage  and  weigM. — Parcels  weigh- 
ing 4  ounces  or  less  are  mailable  at  the  rate  of  one  cent  for 
each  ounce  or  fraction  of  an  ounce,  regardless  of  distance. 
Parcels  weighing  more  than  4  ounces  are  mailable  at  the 


60  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

pound  rates  shown  in  the  following  table   a  fraction  of  a 
pound  being  considered  a  full  pound: 


Local. 

Zones. 

Weight  in 
pounds. 

Ist. 

Up 
to  50 
miles. 

2d. 
50  to 

150 
miles. 

3d. 
150 
to 

300 
miles. 

4th. 
300 
to 
600 
miles. 

5th. 

600 

to 
1,000 
miles. 

6th. 
1,000 

to 
1,400 
miles. 

7th. 
1,400 

to 
1,800 
miles. 

8th. 
Over 
1,800 
miles. 

1 

$0.05 

$0.05 

$0.05 

$0. 06 

$0.07 

$0.  OS 

$0.09 

$0.11 

$0.12 

2 

.06 

.06 

.06 

.08 

.11 

.14 

.17 

.21 

.24 

3 

.06 

.07 

.07 

.10 

.15 

.20 

.25 

.31 

.36 

4 

.07 

.08 

.08 

.12 

.19 

.26 

.33 

.41 

.48 

5 

.07 

.09 

.09 

.14 

.23 

.32 

.41 

.51 

.60 

6 

.08 

.10 

.10 

.16 

.27 

.38 

.49 

.61 

.72 

7 

.08 

.11 

.11 

.18 

.31 

.44 

.57 

.71 

.84 

8 

.09 

.12 

.12 

.20 

.35 

.50 

.65 

.81 

.96 

9 

.09 

.13 

.13 

.22 

.39 

.56 

.73 

.91 

LOS 

10 

.10 

.14 

.14 

!24 

.43 

.62 

.81 

LOl 

1.20 

11 

.10 

.15 

.15 

.26 

.47 

.68 

.89 

Lll 

1.32 

12 

.11 

.16 

.16 

.28 

.51 

.74 

.97 

L21 

1.44 

13 

.11 

.17 

.17 

.30 

.55 

.80 

LOS 

1.31 

1.56 

14 

.12 

.18 

.18 

.32 

.59 

.86 

L13 

1.41 

1.68 

15 

.12 

.19 

.19 

.34 

.63 

.92 

L21 

1.51 

1.80 

16 

.13 

.20 

.20 

.36 

.67 

.98 

L29 

1.61 

1.92 

17 

.13 

.21 

.21 

.38 

.71 

L04 

L37 

1.71 

2.04 

18 

.14 

.22 

.22 

.40 

.75 

1.10 

1.45 

LSI 

2.16 

19 

.14 

.23 

.23 

.42 

.79 

1.16 

1.53 

1.91 

2.28 

20 

.15 

.24 

.24 

.44 

.83 

1.  22 

L61 

2.01 

2.40 

21 

.       .15 

.25 

.25 

.46 

.87 

1.28 

1.69 

2.11 

2.52 

22 

.16 

.26 

.26 

.48 

.91 

L34 

1.77 

2.21 

2.64 

23 

.16 

.27 

.27 

.50 

.95 

L40 

1.85 

2.31 

2.76 

24 

.       .17 

.28 

.28 

.52 

.99 

L46 

1.93 

2.41 

2.88 

25 

.17 

.29 

.29 

.54 

L03 

1.52 

2.01 

2.51 

3.00 

26 

.       .18 

.30 

.30 

.56 

1.07 

L58 

2.09 

2.61 

3.12 

27 

.        .18 

.31 

.31 

.58 

1.11 

L64 

2.17 

2,71 

3.24 

28 

.       .19 

.32 

.32 

.60 

L15 

L70 

2.25 

2.81 

3.36 

29 

.       .19 

.33 

.33 

.62 

L19 

L76 

2.33 

2.91 

3.48 

30 

.        .20 

.34 

.34 

.64 

L23 

L82 

2.41 

3.01 

3.60 

31 

.        .20 

.35 

.35 

.66 

L27 

L88 

2.49 

3.11 

3.72 

32 

.       .21 

.36 

.36 

.68 

L31 

L94 

2.57 

3.21 

3.84 

33 

.        .21 

.37 

.37 

.70 

L35 

2.00 

2.65 

3.31 

3.96 

34 

.       .22 

.38 

.38 

.72 

1.39 

2.06 

2.73 

3.41 

4.08 

KUBAL    MAIL    SERVICE. 


31 


Local. 

Zones. 

Weight  in 
pounds. 

1st. 

to  50 
miles. 

2d. 
59  to 

150 
miles. 

3d. 

150 

to 

300 

miles. 

4th. 

300 

to 

600 

miles. 

5th. 

600 

to 
1,000 
miles. 

6th. 
1,000 

to 
1,400 
miles. 

7th. 
1,400 

to 
1.800 
miles. 

8th. 
Over 
1,800 
miles. 

35 

$0.22 

SO.  39 

SO.  39  SO.  74 

SI.  43 

S2.12 

S2.S1   S3. 51 

S4.20 

36: 

.23 

.40 

.40 

.76 

1.47 

2.18 

2.89 

3.01 

4.32 

37 

.23 

.41 

.41 

.78 

1.51 

2.24 

2.97 

3.71 

4.44 

38 

.2-1 

.42 

.42 

.80 

1.  55 

2.30 

3.05 

3.  SI 

4.56 

39 

.24 

.43 

.43 

.82 

1.59 

2.36 

3.13 

3.91 

4.68 

40 

.25 

.44 

.44 

.84 

1.63 

2.42 

3.21 

4.01 

4.80 

41 

.25 

.45 

.45 

.86 

1.67 

2.48 

3.29 

4.11 

4.92 

42 

.26 

.46 

.46 

.88 

1.71 

2.  .54 

3.37 

4.21 

5.04 

43 

.26 

.47 

.47 

.90 

1.75 

2.60 

3.45 

4.31 

5.16 

44 

.27 

.48 

.48 

.92 

1.79 

2.66 

3.53 

4.41 

5.28 

45 

.27 

.49 

.49 

.94 

1.83 

2.72 

3.61 

4.51 

5.40 

46 

.28 

.50 

.50 

.96 

1.87 

2.78 

3.  09 

4.61 

5.  52 

47 

.28 

.51 

.51 

.98 

1.91 

2.84 

3.77 

4.71 

5.64 

48 

.20 

.52 

.52 

1.00 

1.95 

2.90 

3.  85 

4.81 

5.76 

49 

.29 
.30 

.53 

.54 

.53 
.54 

1.02 
1.04 

1.99 
2.03 

2.96 
3.02 

3.93 
4.01 

4.91 
5.01 

5.88 

50 

6.00 

51 

.30 
.31 
.31 
.32 
.32 
.33 
.33 
.34 
.34 
.35 
.35 
.36 
.36 
.37 
.37 
.38 
.38 
.39 
.39 
.40 

.55 
.56 
.57 
.58 
.59 
.60 
.61 
.62 
.63 
.64 
.65 
.86 
.67 
.68 
.69 
.70 
.71 
.72 
.73 
.74 

.55 
.56 
.57 
.58 
.59 
.60 
.61 
.62 
.63 
.64 
.65 
.66 
.67 
.68 
.69 
.70 
.71 
.72 
.73 
.74 

1.06 
1.08 
1.10 
1.12 
1.14 
1.16 
1.18 
1.20 
1.22 
1.24 
1.26 
1.28 
1.30 
1.32 
1.34 
1.36 
1.38 
1.40 
1.42 
1.44 

52 

t     """" 

53 

::::::i:;:::: 

54 

1 

55 

::::::::: 

56 

57 

58 

59 

60 

61 

62 

63 

64 

65 

66 

67 

68 

69 

1 

70 

1 

1 

32  POSTAL   LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

To  ascertain  in  which  zone  a  post  office  is  located  from 
the  office  of  mailing,  first  obtain  the  unit  number  of  the 
office  of  address  from  the  Guide,  then  find  the  line  con- 
taining this  number  in  the  zone  key  for  the  unit  of  the 
mailing  office,  and  the  figure  in  the  column  opposite  will 
be  the  number  of  the  zone.  The  Guide  is  applicable  to  all 
offices  but  a  separate  zone  key  is  required  for  each  unit. 
The  zone  keys,  which  make  the  use  of  parcel-post  maps 
unnecessary  are  furnished  to  purchasers  of  the  Postal 
Guide  and,  upon  application,  to  the  postal  eervdce. 

2.  The  parcel-post  rate  between  any  point  in  the  United 
States  and  any  point  in  the  Hawaiian  Islands,  the  United 
States  postal  agency  at  Shanghai,  and  any  point  in  Alaska, 
and  between  any  two  points  in  Alaska,  except  for  parcels 
weighing  4  ounces  or  less,  on  which  the  rate  is  1  cent  for 
for  each  ounce  or  fraction  thereof,  shall  be  12  cents  for  the 
first  pound  and  12  cents  for  each  additional  pound  or  frac- 
tion thereof.  These  rates  also  apply  to  parcels  mailed  in 
the  United  States  for  delivery  in  the  Canal  Zone,  and  to 
parcels  between  the  Philippine  Islands  and  the  United 
States,  or  its  possessions.     (See  sec.  455.) 

3.  The  eighth-zone  rate  of  postage  shall  apply  to  parcels 
of  fourth-class  mail,  exceeding  4  ounces  in  weight,  ex- 
changed between  the  United  States,  or  any  of  its  posses- 
sions, and  United  States  naval  vessels  stationed  in  foreign 
waters.  Vv^hen  such  vessels  are  stationed  in  a  port  of  the 
United  States,  or  any  of  its  possessions,  the  rates  applicable 
to  or  from  the  post  office  at  such  port  shall  be  charged. 

4.  The  eighth-zone  rate  of  postage,  except  on  parcels 
weighing  4  ounces  or  less,  on  which  the  rate  shall  be  1  cent 


RURAL    MAIL    SE^RVICE. 


33 


for  each  ounce  or  fraction  thereof  (see  par.  1,  sec.  455), 
shall  apply  to  all  parcels  of  fourth-class  matter  mailed  in 
the  United  States  for  delivery  in  Canada,  Mexico,  Cuba, 
and  the  Republic  of  Panama:  Provided,  (a)  That  as  pre- 
scribed by  existing  special  postal  conventions  with  these 
countries  such  parcels  shall  not  exceed  2  kilograms  (4 
pounds  6  ounces)  in  weight,  and  (h)  that  nothing  in  this 
section  shall  affect  the  dispatch  of  parcel-post  packages 
to  Mexico  and  the  Republic  of  Panama  up  to  11  pounds 
(5  kilograms)  in  weight  under  the  existing  parcel-post 
conventions  with  these  countries. 

5.  On  and  after  March  16,  1914,  the  rate  of  postage  on 
parcels  of  books  weighing  8  ounces  or  less  shall  be  1  cent 
for  each  2  ounces  or  fraction  thereof,  and  on  those  weighing 
more  than  8  ounces  the  pound  rates  shown  in  the  tal  'le  in 
paragraph  1  of  this  section  shall  apply. 

6.  The  rate  of  postage  on  gold  coin,  gold  bullion,  and 
gold  dust  offered  for  mailing  between  any  two  points  in 
Alaska,  or  between  any  point  in  Alaska  and  any  point  in 
the  United  States  or  its  possessions,  shall  be  2  cents  an 
ounce  or  fraction  thereof,  regardless  of  distance.  Such 
gold  coin,  gold  bullion,  or  gold  dust  shall  be  inclosed  in 
sealed  packages  not  exceeding  11  pounds  in  weight  and 
sent  by  registered  mail. 

7.  Upon  every  parcel  or  package  transported  from  one  point  in  the 
United  States  to  another  by  parcel  post  on  which  the  postage  amounts 
to  25  cents  or  more  there  shall  be  paid  a  tax  of  one  cent  for  each  25  cents 
or  fractional  part  thereof  charged  for  such  transportation,  to  be  paid  by 
the  consignor.  No  such  parcel  or  package  shall  be  transported  until  a 
stamp  or  stamps  representing  the  tax  due  shall  have  been  affixed  thereto. 
(Act  of  Oct.  3,  1917,  sec.  807,  paragraph  14.) 
32657°— 21 3 


34  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

8.  The  tax  on  fourth-class  matter  referred  to  in  the 
preceding  paragraph  is  not  applicable  to  parcels  on  which 
the  postage  amounts  to  less  than  25  cents.  On  a  parcel 
subject  to  25  cents  postage  the  tax  is  one  cent;  on  parcels 
on  which  the  postage  amounts  to  from  26  to  50  cents  the  tax 
is  two  cents  each,  and  so  on.  Parcels  shall  not  be  accepted 
for  mailing  unless  both  the  required  postage  and  tax  are 
fully  prepaid.  Special  internal-revenue  stamps  shall  be 
used  to  pay  the  tax;  postage  stamps  are  not  valid  for  this 
purpose.  The  failure  of  say  postmaster  to  observe  the 
foregoing  shall  be  reported  to  the  Third  Assistant  Post- 
master General,  Division  of  Classification. 

Sec.  457.  Seeds,  bulbs,  plants,  etc.— Seeds,  cuttings,  bulbs,  roots, 
scions,  and  plants  shall  hereafter  be  embraced  in  and  carried  as  fourth- 
olass  matter,  and  for  the  same  rates  of  postage:  Provided,  That  all  pack- 
ages thereof  containing  8  ounces  or  less  shall  be  charged  for  at  the  rate  of 
1  cent  for  2  ounces  or  fraction  thereof.    (Act  of  Apr.  24, 1914.) 

2.  The  rate  of  postage  on  parcels  of  seeds,  cuttings, 
bulbs,  roots,  scions,  and  plants,  weighing  8  ounces  or  less, 
is  1  cent  for  each  2  ounces  or  fraction  thereof,  regardless 
of  distance;  on  parcels  weighing  more  than  8  ounces  the 
pound  rates  shown  in  paragraph  1,  section  456,  apply. 

These  rates  apply  whether  the  articles  are  for  planting  or 
other  purposes.  (See  sec.  469  as  to  preparation  of  seeds, 
etc.,  for  mailing.) 

•55-  ■}«■**  * 

Sec.  458.  Permissible  additions  to  fourth-class  natter.— With  a 
package  of  fourth-class  matter  prepaid  at  the  proper  rate  for  that  class, 
the  sender  may  inclose  any  mailable  third-class  matter,  and  may  write 
upon  the  wrapper  or  cover  thereof,  or  tag  or  label  accompanjang  the 
same,  his  name,  occupation,  residence  or  business  address,  preceded  by 
the  word  "from,"  and  any  marks,  numbers,  names,  or  letters  for  pur- 
pose of  description,  or  may  print  thereon  the  same,  and  any  printed 


RURAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  35 

matter  not  in  the  nature  of  a  personal  correspondence,  but  there  must 
be  left  on  the  address  side  or  face  of  the  package  a  space  sufficient  for  a 
legible  address  and  necessary  stamps. 

2.  There  may  be  placed  on  such  mail  matter  (of  the  fourth  class),  or  on 
the  package,  wrapper,  or  envelope  inclosing  the  same,  or  on  a  tag  or 
label  attached  thereto,  either  in  writing  or  otherwise,  the  words  "Please 
do  not  open  until  Christmas,"  or  words  to  that  effect. 

3.  The  tag  or  label,  with  the  printing  or  writing  author- 
ized thereon,  may  be  attached  to  the  whole  parcel,  or 
separate  tags  or  labels,  bearing  the  same,  may  be  attached 
to  each  of  one  or  more  articles  contained  in  the  parcel. 

4.  Inscriptions  such  as  "Merry  Christmas,"  ''Happy 
New  Year,"  "With  best  wishes,"  and  the  like,  may  be 
placed  on  matter  of  the  fourth  class  or  on  a  card  inclosed 
therewith. 

5.  There  may  be  inclosed  with  matter  of  the  fourth  class 
an  invoice  showing,  in  writing  or  printing,  the  name 
and  address  of  the  sender  and  of  the  addressee;  the  names 
and  quantities  of  articles  inclosed,  together  with  inscrip- 
tions indicating,  "for  purpose  of  description,"  the  price, 
style,  stock  number,  size,  and  quality  of  the  articles;  the 
order  or  file  number,  date  of  order,  and  date  and  manner  of 
shipment;  and  the  initials  or  name  of  the  salesman,  or  of 
the  person  by  whom  the  articles  were  packed  or  checked . 

5J.  When  the  sender  desii'es  that  a  parcel  of  fourth-class 
matter  on  which  the  i>ostage  is  fully  prepaid,  with  stamps 
affixed,  at  the  rate  for  that  class,  be  accompanied  with  a 
communication  which  is  not  a  permissible  inclosure  at 
the  fourth-class  rate,  the  communication  may  be  placed 
in  an  envelope,  and  after  the  full  amount  of  postage  at  the 
first-class  rate  is  affixed  to  the  envelope  it  may  be  tied  to 
or  otherwise  securely  attached  to  the  outside  of  the  parcel 


36  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

in  such  manner  as  to  prevent  its  separation  therefrom  and 
not  to  interfere  with  the  address  on  the  parcel.  The 
envelope  shall  be  addressed  to  correspond  with  the  address 
on  the  parcel.  Parcels  to  which  such  communications 
are  attached  shall  in  all  cases  be  treated  as  fourth-class 
mail. 

6.  A  parcel  containing  two  or  more  classes  of  mail 
matter  is  chargeable  with  postage  at  the  rate  applicable 
to  the  highest  class  of  matter  inclosed.  A  parcel  com- 
posed of  two  articles,  one  being  matter  of  the  third  class 
and  the  other  matter  of  the  fom'th  class,  is  chargeable 
with  postage  at  the  fourth-class  rate  when  such  postage 
is  equal  to  or  greater  than  that  which  would  be  chargeable 
if  the  third-class  rate  were  applicable.  However,  when 
the  postage  on  a  parcel  containing  both  third  and  fom'th 
class  matter  amounts  to  more  at  the  third-class  than  at 
the  fom'th-class  rate,  owing  to  the  graduated  zone  rates, 
the  parcel  must  be  charged  with  postage  at  the  third-class 
rate  (1  cent  for  each  2  ounces  or  fraction  of  2  ounces),  and 
in  such  case  the  parcel  must  not  exceed  4  pounds  in 
weight,  unless  it  is  a  single  book. 

7.  A  single  order  form,  mainly  in  print,  may  be  inclosed 
with  fourth-class  matter  mailed  at  the  rates  for  that  class 
without  affecting  its  classification. 

Sec.  458^.  Sender's  receipt  for  ordinary  parcel. — On 
and  after  September  1,  1915,  the  postmaster  at  the  mailing 
office  may,  on  payment  of  1  cent,  give  the  sender  of  an 
ordinary  parcel  of  fourth-class  mail  a  receipt  therefor.  A 
postage  stamp  to  cover  the  charge  for  the  receipt  shall  be 
affixed  thereto.  The  name  and  address  of  the  addressee 
of  the  parcel  shall  be  written  in  the  receipt  by  the  sender. 


KUKAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  37 

Postmasters  desiring  additional  information  on  this  sub- 
ject should  address  the  Third  Assistant  Postmaster  Gen- 
eral, Division  of  Registered  Mails. 

This  fee  does  not  insure  the  parcel  against  loss,  and  no 
receipt  is  obtained  from  the  addressee  on  delivery.  If 
either  of  the  latter  facilities  is  desired,  the  insurance  serv- 
ice should  be  patronized. 

Sender  of  parcel  to  be  asked  if  iie  desires  it  insured. — 
Postmasters  and  postal  emploj^ecs,  when  rating  domestic 
fourth-class  parcels,  shall  in  all  cases  inquire  of  the  senders 
whether  they  desire  such  articles  to  be  insured,  except 
in  those  cases  where  the  senders  have  previously  stated 
that  they  do  not  desire  such  shipments  to  be  sent  as  insured 
mail. 

Sec.  460.  Inclosing  higher  class  in  lower  class  matter. — Matter  of 
the  second,  iMrd,  or  fourth  class  containing  any  writing  or  printing  in 
addition  to  the  original  matter,  other  than  as  authorized  by  law,  shall 
not  be  admitted  to  the  mails,  nor  deUvercd,  except  upon  payment  of 
postage  for  matter  of  the  first  class,  deducting  therefrom  any  amount 
which  may  have  been  ]. repaid  by  stamps  affixed,  unless  by  direction  of 
the  Postmaster  General  such  postage  shall  be  remitted.  Whoever  shall 
knov.-ingly  conceal  or  inclose  any  matter  of  a  higher  class  in  that  of  a  lower 
class,  and  deposit  or  cause  the  same  to  be  deposited  for  conveyance  by 
mail,  at  a  less  rate  than  would  be  charged  for  such  higher  class  matter, 
shall  be  fined  not  more  than  one  hundred  dollars. 

See  sees.  441,  453,  and  45S  for  permissible  additions  to  second,  third 
and  fourth  class  matter. 

*  *  H<  *  * 

Sec.  462.  Limit  of  weight  of  mail  matter.— (a)  (The  limit  of  weight 
of  mail  matter)  is  hereby  declared  to  be  not  exceeding  four  pounds  for 
each  package  thereof,  except  in  case  of  single  books  Vi^eighing  in  excess 
of  that  amount;  (fourth-class  mail  matter  *  *  *  not  exceeding 
seventy  pounds  in  v/eight  when  mailed  for  delivery  within  the  first, 
second,  and  third  zones  and  net  exceeding  fifty  pounds  in  weight  when 


38  POSTAL   LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

for  delivery  within  any  of  the  other  zones),  and  except  for  books  and 
documents  published  or  circulated  by  order  of  Congress,  or  printed  or 
written  official  matter  emanating  from  any  of  the  departments  of  the 
Government  or  from  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  or  which  is  not  de- 
clared nonmailable  under  the  provisions  of  section  thirty-eight  hundred 
and  nine-three  of  the  Revised  Statutes  as  amended  by  the  act  of  July 
twelfth,  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-six,  or  matter  appertaining  to 
lotteries,  gift  concerts,  or  fraudulent  schemes  or  devices.  (See  sees. 
479  to  482.) 

1^.  Matter  addressed  to  post  offices  in  the  Philippine 
Islands,  other  than  Manila,  to  which  the  limit  of  weight 
set  forth  in  the  preceding  paragraph  applies,  shall  not 
exceed  20  pounds  in  weight, 

(6)  Books,  pamphlets,  and  other  reading  matter  in 
raised  characters  for  the  use  of  the  blind ,  whether  prepared 
by  hand  or  printed,  in  single  volumes  not  exceeding  10 
pounds  in  weight,  *  *  *  shall  be  transmitted  in  the 
United  States  mails. 

(c)  The  limit  of  weight  of  mail  matter  of  the  first  class  shall  be  the 
same  as  is  applicable  to  mail  of  the  fourth  class.  (Act  of  May  IS,  1916, 
sec.  11  Pub.  81.) 

Sec.  4S3.  Matter  to  which  limit  ol  weight  is  inappli- 
cable.— Mail  matter  of  the  first  class  addressed  for  delivery 
in  foreign  countries  other  than  Canada,  Mexico,  Cuba, 
the  Republic  of  Panama,  the  United  States  postal  agency 
at  Shanghai,  China,  and  the  United  States  Naval  Hospi- 
tal at  Yokohama,  Japan  (to  which  domestic  regulations 
apply),  and  mail  matter  of  the  second  class  prepaid  at 
either  the  regular  or  transient  rate  addressed  to  points  in 
the  United  States  and  in  countries  to  which  the  domestic 
regulations  apply,  shall  be  accepted  for  mailing  regardless 
of  the  weight  thereof. 


KURAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  39 

2.  Books  and  documents  published  or  circulated  by 
order  of  Congress,  without  regard  to  their  weight  and 
whether  wrapped  separately  or  not,  shall  be  accepted  for 
mailing  at  any  post  office. 

3.  Printed  or  written  official  matter  weighing  in  excess 
of  4  pounds,  emanating  from  any  of  the  Departments  of 
the  Government  or  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  shall  be 
accepted  for  mailing  under  a  penalty  envelope  or  label  at 
the  post  office  at  Washington,  D.  C,  only.  Such  official 
matter  weighing  more  than  4  pounds,  but  not  exceeding 
the  limit  of  weight  prescribed  by  section  462,  may  be 
accepted  for  mailing  at  other  post  offices  only  when  post- 
age is  prepaid  thereon.  For  further  information  with 
respect  to  the  acceptance  of  official  matter  see  section  499. 

5.  All  official  matter  relating  to  the  postal  service,  in- 
cluding that  pertaining  to  the  Postal  Savings  System, 
may  be  sent  in  the  mails  from  any  post  office  without 
regard  to  weight,  except  as  otherwise  provided  by  special 
instructions. 

6.  Packages  of  postage  stamps,  stamped  envelopes, 
newspaper  wrappers,  postal  cards,  internal-revenue 
stamps,  and  copyright  matter  in  its  simplest  mailable 
form  addressed  to  the  Register  of  CopjTights,  Washing- 
ton, B.C.,  shall  be  accepted  at  any  post  office,  regardless 
of  the  weight  thereof. 

7.  The  limit  of  weight  for  miscellaneous  printed  matter 
constituting  third-class  mail,  the  rate  of  postage  on  which 
is  1  cent  for  each  2  ounces  or  fraction  thereof,  is  4  pounds. 
Parcels  of  miscellaneous  printed  matter  weighing  more 
than  4  pounds,  but  which  are  wdthin  the  limit  of  weight 
and  size  for  matter  of  the  fourth  class,  come  within  that 


40  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    KEGLT-ATIONS. 

class  and  are  mailable  at  the  pound  rates  of  postage  pre- 
scribed for  fourth-class  matter  in  section  456 . 

Sec.  464.  Limit  of  size  of  fourtii- class  matter. — If  a 
parcel  of  fourth-class  matter  exceeds  the  size,  in  length, 
and  girth  combined,  prescribed  in  paragraph  1,  section  454, 
it  shall  not  be  accepted  for  mailing,  no  matter  how  small 
the  excess  may  be. 

2.  In  measuring  a  parcel  the  greatest  distance  in  a 
straight  line  between  its  ends,  but  not  around  the  parcel 
lengthwise,  shall  be  taken  as  the  length,  while  the  dis- 
tance around  it  at  its  thickest  part  shall  be  taken  as  the 
girth.  For  example,  a  parcel  10  inches  wide,  5  inches 
high,  and  35  inches  long  has  a  girth  of  30  inches,  its  length 
and  girth  combined  being  65  inches. 

Sec.  460.  Packages  must  a.dinit  of  esamination.— The  Postmaster 
Generalmay  prescribe,  by  regulation,  the  manner  of  wrapping  and  secur- 
ing for  the  maUs  all  packages  of  m.att:er  not  charged  with  first-class  post- 
age, so  that  the  contents  of  such  packages  may  be  easily  e.^camined;  and 
no  package  the  contents  of  which  can  not  be  easily  examined  shall  pass 
in  the  mails,  or  be  delivered  at  a  less  rate  than  for  matter  of  the  first  class. 

2.  Matter  of  the  second  and  third  classes  should  be 
inclosed  in  an  unsealed  envelope  or  wrapped  in  such 
manner  that  the  contents  of  the  package  can  be  easily 
examined.  Unfolded  cards  and  double  advertising  cards 
with  detachable  parts  for  reply  may  be  mailed  without 
cover.  In  all  cases  the  matter  should  be  prepared  in  such 
foi-m  as  to  facilitate  its  handling  in  the  mails. 

3.  Parcels  of  fourth-class  matter  shall  not  be  accepted 
for  mailing  unless  packed  so  as  to  insure  safe  shipment 
and  permit  the  contents  to  be  easily  examined.  (See 
sec.  474.)    Such  matter  inclosed  in  boxes  to  which  the 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE,  41 

lids  are  nailed  or  screwed  may  be  accepted  for  mailing 
at  the  fourth-class  rates  of  postage  if,  Avith  reasonable  effort, 
the  lids  can  be  removed  by  the  use  of  a  cliisel,  screw  driver, 
or  other  suitable  instrument,  for  the  purpose  of  permitting 
examination  of  the  contents.  ^Vhen  a  postmaster  to  whom 
is  presented  for  mailing  a  bag  which  is  sewed  up  is  satisfied 
from  an  examination  of  it  that  it  contains  only  fourth- 
class  mail,  he  should  accept  it  at  the  fourth-class  rates  of 
postage  and  mark  it:  ''Examined  at  mailing  office;  con- 
tains only  fourth-class  mail." 

3^.  Two  or  more  pieces  or  packages  of  fourth-class  matter 
shall,  in  order  to  be  mailable  as  a  single  parcel,  be  of  ap- 
proximately the  same  size  or  shape  or  constitute  parts  of 
one  article,  and  be  securely  tied,  v,'rapped,  or  otherwise 
firmly  fastened  together. 

Note.— See  paragraph  ol,  section  4oS,  prescribing  the  conditions  under 
•\vhich  a  communication  may  be  attached  to  a  parcel  of  fourth-class 
matter. 

4.  Seeds  or  other  articles  not  prohibited,  vrhich  are 
liable  from  their  form  or  nature  to  loss  or  damage  unless 
specially  protected,  shall  be  put  up  in  sealed  envelopes 
made  of  material  sufficiently  transparent  to  show  the  con- 
tents clearly  without  opening,  and  accepted  as  fourth- 
class  mail. 

5.  Proprietary  articles  of  merchandise  not  in  them- 
selves unmailable  *  *  *,  such  as  fancy  soaps,  tobacco, 
pills,  tablets,  or  other  harmless  medicinal  preparations, 
put  up  in  fixed  quantities  by  the  manufacturer  for  sale 
by  himself  and  others,  which  may  be  sealed  in  such  man- 
ner as  properly  to  protect  the  articles,  but  to  allow  exami- 
nation of  such  package  in  its  simplest  mercantile  form. 


42  POSTAL   LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

shall  be  accepted  for  mailing  at  the  fourth-class  rates  of 
postage. 

6.  When  any  matter  offered  for  mailing  is  sealed  against 
inspection,  except  as  provided  in  paragraphs  4  and  5  of 
this  section,  or  contains  or  bears  writing  not  permissible 
(see  sees.  441,  453,  and  458),  it  shall  be  charged  with  postage 
at  the  first-class  rate  and  treated  as  first-class  matter.  *  '-^  * 
***** 

Sec.  470.  Directions  for  transmission,  etc.,  paxt  of  address.— In 
all  cases  directions  for  transmit  (transmission),  delivery,  forwarding,  or 
return  shall  be  deemed  part  of  the  address.    *    *    * 

2.  The  words  "personal,"  or  ''to  be  called  for,"  and 
return  requests  and  other  directions  as  to  delivery,  for- 
warding, or  return,  are  deemed  part  of  the  address,  and 
permissible. 

3.  Space  should  be  left  on  the  address  side  of  all  mail 
matter  sufficient  for  a  legible  address  and  for  all  directions 
permissible  thereon,  for  postage  stamps,  for  postmarking, 
rating,  and  any  words  necessary  for  forwarding  or  return. 
"Watermarks  or  printing  in  light  tints  which  do  not  render 
the  reading  of  the  address  diflicult  will  be  permitted. 

4.  A  parcel  of  fourth-class  matter  shall  not  be  accepted 
for  mailing  unless  it  bears  the  name  and  address  of  the 
sender,  which  should  be  preceded  by  the  word  *'From." 
Wlien  a  parcel  of  fourth-class  matter  which  does  not  bear 
the  name  and  address  of  the  sender  is  deposited  for  mail- 
ing, and  the  sender  is  known  or  can  be  ascertained  from 
the  contents  of  the  parcel,  it  shall  be  returned  to  him  with 
the  information  that  his  name  and  address  should  be 
placed  on  it.  If  the  sender  is  not  known,  or  can  not  be 
ascertained,  the  parcel  shall  be  marked  ''Sender  un- 
known' '  and  dispatched. 


BUBAL    MAIL   SEEVICE.  43 

Sec.  472.  Poisons,  ezplosives,  etc.,  not  mailable.— 1.  All  kinds  of 
poison,  and  all  articles  and  compositions  containing  poison,  and  aU 
poisonous  animals,  insects,  and  reptiles,  and  explosives  of  all  kinds 
and  inflammable  materials,  and  infernal  machines,  and  mechanical, 
chemical,  or  other  devices  or  compositions  which  may  ignite  or  explode 
and  all  disease  germs  or  scabs,  and  all  other  natural  or  artificial  articles, 
compositions,  or  material,  of  whatever  kind,  which  may  kill  or  in  any- 
wise hurt,  harm,  or  injure  another  or  damage,  deface,  or  otherwise  injure 
the  mails  or  other  property,  whether  sealed  as  first-class  matter  or  not, 
are  hereby  declared  to  be  nonmailable  matter,  and  shall  not  be  conveyed 
in  the  mails  or  delivered  from  any  post  office  or  station  thereof,  nor  by 
any  letter  carrier;  but  the  Postmaster  General  may  permit  the  trans- 
mission in  the  mails,  from  the  manufactm-er  thereof  or  dealer  therein 
to  licensed  physicians,  surgeons,  dentists,  pharmacists,  druggists,  and 
veterinarians,  imder  such  rules  and  regulations  as  he  shall  prescribe, 
of  any  articles  hereinbefore  described  which  are  not  outwardly  or  of 
their  own  force  dangerous  or  injurious  to  life,  health  or  property:  Pro- 
vided, That  all  spirituous,  \-inous,  malted,  fermented,  or  other  intoxi- 
cating Uquors  of  any  kind  are  hereby  declared  to  be  nonmailable,  and 
shall  not  be  deposited  in  or  carried  through  the  mails.  Whoever  shall 
knowingly  deposit  or  cause  to  be  deposited  for  mailing  or  delivery,  or 
shall  knowingly  cause  to  be  dehvered  by  mail,  according  to  the  direction 
thereon  or  at  any  place  at  which  it  is  directed  to  be  dehvered  by  the  person 
to  whom  it  is  addressed,  anything  declared  by  this  section  to  be  non- 
mailable, vmless  in  accordance  with  the  rules  and  regulations  hereby 
authorized  to  be  prescribed  by  the  Postmaster  General,  shall  be  fined 
not  more  than  SI, 000  or  imprisoned  not  more  than  two  years,  or  both; 
and  whoever  shall  knowingly  deposit  or  cause  to  be  deposited  for  mailing 
or  deUvery,  or  shall  knowingly  cause  to  be  dehvered  by  mail,  according 
to  the  direction  thereon  or  at  any  place  to  which  it  is  directed  to  be 
dehvered  by  the  person  to  whom  it  is  addressed,  anything  declared  by 
this  section  to  be  nonmailable,  whether  transmitted  in  acDordance 
mth  the  rules  and  regulations  authorized  to  be  prescribed  by  the  Post- 
master General  or  not,  with  the  design,  intent,  or  purpose  to  kill  or  in 
anywise  hurt,  harm,  or  injure  another,  or  damage,  deface,  or  otherwise 
injure  the  mails  or  other  property,  shall  be  fined  not  more  than  810,000 
or  imprisoned  not  more  than  twenty  years,  or  both. 
(Act  approved,  May  25,  1920.) 


44  rOSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIO^:S. 

2  («)  Spirituous,  vinous,  malted,  fermented,  or  other 
intoxicating  liquors  of  any  kind,  poisons  of  every  kind, 
and  articles  and  compositions  containing  poison  (except 
as  prescribed  in  the  fourth  paragraph  hereof),  and  poison- 
ous animals,  insects,  and  reptiles,  corrosive  materials, 
fireworks,  and  explosives  of  every  kind,  and  inflammable 
materials  liable  to  cause  fire  by  self-ignition  through 
friction,  thi'ough  absorption  of  moisture,  or  through 
spontaneous  chemical  changes,  and  infernal  machines, 
and  mechanical,  chemical,  or  other  devices  or  composi- 
tions which  may  ignite  or  explode,  and  disease  germs  or 
scabs  (except  as  prescribed  in  sec.  473),  and  other  natural 
or  artificial  articles,  compositions,  or  materials  of  whatever 
kind  which  may  kill  or  in  anywise  hurt,  harm,  or  injui'e 
another,  or  damage,  deface,  or  otherwise  injure  the  mail 
or  other  property,  live  animals,  insects,  birds  or  fowls 
(except  as  prescribed  in  sec.  476),  fresh  hides  or  pelts,  or 
any  articles  exhaling  bad  odor,  whether  sealed  as  first- 
class  matter  or  not,  shall  not  be  admitted  to  the  mails. 

(6)  Inflammable  liquids  and  substances,  such  as  paints, 
varnishes,  automobile  tire-repair  outfits  containing  rubber 
cement,  etc. ,  that  are  not  liable  to  cause  fire  by  self-ignition 
through  friction,  through  absorption  of  moisture,  or  through 
spontaneous  chemical  changes,  and  are  not  poisonous  or 
explosive  or  unmailable  for  reasons  other  than  their 
inflammability,  shall  be  accepted  for  transmission  in  the 
domestic  mails,  when  in  quantities  of  not  more  than  4 
ounces  and  when  contained  in  tightly  closed  metal  tubes 
or  cans  and  packed  in  strong  papier-mache  tubes  or  in 
boxes  made  of  good  quality  double-faced  corrugated 
pasteboard.    The  word  "Inflammable"  and  the  j^roper 


EUP.AL    MAIL    SERVICE.  45 

name  of  the  article  must  be  plainly  marked  on  the  outside 
of  the  package. 

(c)  Substances  mentioned  in  the  preceding  paragraph 
(b)  when  in  larger  quantities  shall  be  accepted  for  transmis- 
sion in  the  domestic  mails  "when  in  tight  and  strong  metal 
containers  inclosed  in  tight  and  strong  outside  wooden 
boxes  or  cases:  Provided,  That  the  maximum  quantity 
of  any  inflammable  liquid  packed  in  one  outside  container 
must  not  exceed  1  gallon  when  the  flash  point  is  20°  F., 
or  below,  and  must  not  exceed  5  gallons  when  the  flash 
point  is  above  20°  F.  and  below  80°  F.,  and  the  containers 
must  not  be  entirely  filled — not  less  than  2  per  cent  of  their 
capacity  to  be  left  vacant.  The  proper  name  of  the  inflam- 
mable substance  contained  therein  must  be  plainly 
marked  on  the  outside  of  the  package  and  caution  labels 
(red  for  liquid  and  yellow  for  solids)  must  be  attached 
thereto  by  the  shipper.  These  caution  labels  must  be 
diamond  shaped,  each  side  4  inches  long,  with  the 
wording  printed  in  black  letters  inside  of  a  black-line 
border  measuring  3^  inches  on  each  side.  The  wording 
on  the  red  labels  to  be  "*' Notice  to  postal  employees. 
Caution.  Keep  away  from  fires,  stoves,  radiators,  lighted 
matches,  lanterns,  and  direct  sunlight.  Any  leaking 
package  must  be  removed  to  a  safe  place.  This  is  to 
certify  that  the  above  articles  are  properly  described  by 
name  and  are  packed  and  marked  and  are  in  proper 
condition  for  transportation  according  to  the  regulations 
prescribed  by  the  Post  Office  Department. 


Shipper's  name. 


46  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

The  wording  on  the  yellow  labels  to  be  "  Notice  to  postal 
employees.  Caution.  Keep  fire  and  lights  away.  Sweep 
up  and  remove  carefully  contents  of  broken  packages. 
This  is  to  certify  that  the  above  articles  are  properly 
described  by  name  and  are  packed  and  marked  and  are 
in  ptoper  condition  for  transportation  according  to  the 
regulations  prescribed  by  the  Post  Ofiice  Department. 


Shipper's  name." 

All  such  parcels  to  be  handled  outside  of  mail  bags. 

3.  Liquids  not  spirituous,  vinous,  malted,  fermented, 
or  otherwise  intoxicating  (including  samples  of  altar  or 
communion  wine  used  in  church  services),  and  not  liable 
to  explosion  or  spontaneous  combustion  or  ignition  by 
shock  or  jar,  and  not  inflammable,  fruits  or  vegetable  mat- 
ter liable  to  decomposition,  comb  honey,  soft  soap,  pastes 
or  confections,  ointments,  salves,  and  articles  of  similar 
consistency,  shall  be  admitted  to  the  mails  for  transmission 
in  the  domestic  mails  when  inclosed  in  packages  in  con- 
formity with  the  conditions  prescribed  in  sections  474  and 
475. 

4.  Medicines  which  are  not  outwardly  or  of  their  own 
force  dangerous  or  injurious  to  life,  health,  or  property, 
and  not  in  themselves  unmailable  (see  sees.  454  and  480), 
may  be  admitted  to  the  mails  for  transmission  in  the  do- 
mestic mails  when  inclosed  in  packages  in  conformity  with 
the  conditions  prescribed  in  section  474:  Provided ^  That 
the  term  "medicines"  shall  not  be  construed  to  mean 
poisons:  Provided  further,  That  the  article  mailed  bears  the 
label  or  superscription  of  the  manufacturer  thereof,  or 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  47 

dealer  therein,  or  of  the  licensed  physician,  surgeon, 
dentist,  pharmacist,  druggist,  or  veterinarian  preparing 
or  prescribing  the  same. 

6.  Poisonous  drugs  and  medicines  and  anesthetic  agents 
which  are  not  outwardly  or  of  their  own  force  dangerous 
or  injurious  to  life,  health,  or  property,  and  not  otherwise 
unmailable  (see  sees.  454  and  480),  when  securely  packed 
for  safe  transmission  may  be  admitted  to  the  mails  for 
transmission  in  the  domestic  mails  when  sent  by  the  manu- 
facturer thereof  or  dealer  therein  to  licensed  physicians, 
surgeons,  dentists,  pharmacists,  druggists,  and  veterina- 
rians, when  addressed  as  such:  Provided,  That  the  con- 
tainer of  the  article  mailed  is  plainly  labeled  to  show  its 
contents,  is  marked  "Poison,"  and  bears  the  label  or 
superscription  of  the  manufacturer  thereof. 

Sec.  473.  Diseased  tissues. — Specimens  of  diseased  tis- 
sues may  be  admitted  to  the  mail  for  transmission  to 
United  States,  State,  municipal,  or  other  laboratories  in 
possession  of  permits  referred  to  in  paragraph  3  of  this  sec- 
tion only  when  inclosed  in  mailing  cases  constructed  in 
accordance  with  this  regulation,  provided  that  bacterio- 
logic  or  pathologic  specimens  of  plague  and  cholera  shall 
under  no  circumstances  be  admitted  to  the  mails. 

2.  Liquid  cultures,  or  cultures  of  microorganisms  in 
media  that  are  fluid  at  the  ordinary  temperature  (below 
45°  C.  or  113°  F.),  are  unmailable.  Such  specimens  may 
be  sent  in  media  that  remain  solid  at  ordinary  temperature. 

3.  No  package  containing  diseased  tissue  shall  be  deliv- 
ered to  any  representative  of  any  of  said  laboratories  until 
a  permit  shall  have  first  been  issued  by  the  Postmaster 
General,  certifying  that  said  institution  has  been  found  to 


48  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

be  entitled,  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  this" 
regulation,  to  receive  such  specimens. 

4.  (a)  Specimens  of  tubercular  sputum  (whether  dis- 
infected with  carbolic  acid  or  not  disinfected)  shall  be 
transmitted  in  a  solid  glass  vial  with  a  mouth  not  less  than 
1  inch  in  diameter  and  capacity  of  not  more  than  2  ounces, 
closed  by  a  cork  stopper  or  by  a  metallic  screw  top  pro- 
tected by  a  rubber  or  felt  washer.  Specimens  of  diph- 
theria, typhoid,  or  other  infectious  or  communicable  dis- 
eases, or  diseased  tissue  shall  be  placed  in  a  bottle  made  of 
tough  glass  not  over  3  inches  in  diameter,  closed  with  a 
stopper  of  rubber  or  cotton  and  sealed  with  paraffin  or  cov- 
ered with  a  tightly  fitting  rubber  cap,  or  in  a  test  tube  made 
of  tough  glass,  not  over  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  diameter 
and  not  over  7}4  inches  in  length,  closed  in  a  similar  manner. 
In  place  of  a  glass  bottle  or  test  tube  a  hermetically  sealed 
tinned  container  not  over  3  inches  in  diameter  may  be 
used. 

(6)  The  aforesaid  container  shall  then  be  placed  in  a 
cylindrical  tin  box,  with  soldered  joints,  closed  by  a  metal 
screw  cover  with  a-  rubber  or  felt  washer.  The  vial  or 
test  tube  in  this  tin  box  shall  be  completely  and  evenly 
surrounded  by  absorbent  cotton  closely  packed. 

(c)  The  tin  box  v/ith  its  contents  must  then  be  inclosed 
in  a  closel}''  fitting  metal,  wooden,  or  papier-mache  block 
or  tube,  at  least  three-sixteenths  of  an  inch  thick  in  its 
thinnest  part,  of  sufficient  strength  to  resist  rough  handling 
and  support  the  Vv'eight  of  the  mails  piled  in  bags.  This 
last  tube  shall  be  tightlj^  closed  with  a  screw-top  cover  with 
sufhcient  screw  threads  to  require  at  least  one  and  one-half 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  49 

full  turns  before  it  will  come  off,  and  fitted  with  a  felt  or 
rubber  washer. 

5.  Specimens  of  blood  dried  on  glass  microscopic  slides 
for  the  diagnosis  of  malaria  or  typhoid  fever  by  the  Widal 
test  may  be  sent  in  any  strong  mailing  case  which  is  not 
liable  to  breakage  or  loss  of  the  specimen  in  transit. 

6.  Upon  the  outside  of  every  jxickage  of  diseased  tissues 
admitted  to  the  mails  shall  be  v/ritten  or  printed  the  words 
''Specimen  for  bacteriological  examination.  This  pack- 
age to  be  pouched  with  letter  mail." 

Sec.  474.  Articles  liable  to  damage  in  mail  or  injure  em- 
ployees.— Admissible  articles  which,  from  their  form  or 
nature,  might  damage  other  mail  matter  or  equipment  or 
injure  the  person  of  any  postal  employee  shall  be  accepted 
when  packed  in  accordance  with  the  following  conditions: 

2.  In  case  of  articles  liable  to  break,  the  inner  bag,  box, 
envelope,  or  Y^^rapping  shall  be  surrounded  by  sawdust, 
excelsior,  cotton,  or  other  similar  substance. 

3.  Admissible  liquids  and  oils  (see  sec.  472)  in  packages 
not  exceeding  the  limit  of  weight  of  fourth-class  matter  (see 
sec.  454)  shall  be  accepted  for  mailing  when  intended  for 
delivery  at  the  office  of  mailing  or  on  a  rural  route  starting 
therefrom  when  inclosed  in  securely  closed  containers, 
pro\'ided  it  is  not  necessary  to  transport  them  over  steam 
or  electric  railways. 

4.  Admissible  liquids  and  oils,  pastes,  salves,  or  other 
articles  easily  liquefiable,  shall  be  accepted  for  mailing, 
regardless  of  distance,  when  they  conform  to  the  following 
conditions: 

32657°— 21 i 


50  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

(a)  When  in  strong  glass  bottles  holding  4  ounces  or  less 
the  total  quantity  sent  in  one  parcel  shall  not  exceed  24 
ounces,  liquid  measure.  Each  bottle  shall  be  wrapped  in 
paper  or  other  absorbent  substance  and  then  all  placed  in 
a  box  made  of  cardboard  or  other  suitable  material  and 
packed  in  a  container  made  of  double-faced  corrugated 
pasteboard  of  good  quality.  The  corners  of  the  container 
must  fit  tightly  and  be  reinforced  with  tape  so  as  to  pre- 
vent the  escape  of  any  liquid  if  the  contents  should  be 
broken,  and  the  whole  parcel  shall  be  seciu*ely  wrapped 
with  strong  paper  and  tied  with  twine.  Single  bottles  of 
liquid  holding  4  ounces  or  less  may  also  be  packed  as  pre- 
scribed in  the  following  paragraphs  (6)  and  (c): 

(6)  When  in  glass  bottles  holding  more  than  4  and  not 
more  than  16  ounces,  the  bottle  must  be  very  strong  and 
must  be  inclosed  in  a  block  or  tube  of  metal,  wood,  or 
papier-mache,  or  similar  material;  and  there  must  be  pro- 
vided between  the  bottle  and  the  block  or  tube  a  cushion 
of  cotton,  felt,  or  other  absorbent.  The  block  or  tube,  if  of 
wood  or  papier-mache,  must  be  at  least  one-eighth  of  an 
inch  thick  for  bottles  holding  8  ounces  or  less,  and  at  least 
three-sixteenths  of  an  inch  thick  for  bottles  holding  more 
than  8  ounces.  The  block  or  tube  must  be  rendered  water- 
tight by  an  application  on  the  inside  of  paraffin  or  other 
suitable  substance  and  must  be  closed  by  a  screv/-top  cover 
with  sufficient  screw  threads  to  require  at  least  one  and 
one-half  complete  turns  before  it  will  come  off.  The  cover 
must  be  pro-vided  with  a  washer,  so  that  no  liquid  could 
escape  if  the  bottle  should  be  broken.  Such  bottles  may 
also  be  packed  in  strong  and  tight  receptacles  of  wood, 
metal,  or  waterproof  corrugated  pasteboard  if  surrounded 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  51 

with  bran,  sawdust,  or  other  absorbent  material  in  suffi- 
cient quantity  to  absorb  all  the  liquid  if  the  bottle  should 
be  broken. 

(c)  Mailable  liquids,  in  quantities  of  more  than  16  ounces, 
when  in  securely  sealed  glass-  bottles,  shall  be  accepted 
for  mailing  when  packed  in  strong  boxes  and  sun'ounded 
with  sawdust  or  other  suitable  substance  to  protect  the 
contents  from  breakage.  All  such  packages  to  be  marked 
"Fragile — This  Side  Up,"  or  with  similar  inscription,  and 
to  be  transported  outside  of  mail  bags. 

(d)  Liquid  in  securely  closed  metal  containers  may  be 
mailed  when  suitably  boxed  or  crated;  but,  when  in  extra 
strong  metal  containers,  such  as  heavy  milk  cans,  the 
boxes  or  crating  may  be  omitted. 

(e)  All  packages  containing  liquid  must  be  marked 
"Fragile." 

5.  Pastes,  salves,  etc.,  not  easily  liquefiable  shall  be 
accepted  for  mailing  when  inclosed  in  water-tight  con- 
tainers and  placed  in  a  strong  pasteboard  or  wooden  box. 

6.  Manufacturers  or  dealers  intending  to  transmit 
articles  in  considerable  quantities  should  submit  to  the 
postmaster  at  the  mailing  office  for  approval  a  specimen 
parcel  showing  the  manner  of  packing. 

7.  Sharp-pointed  or  sharp-edged  instruments  or  tools 
shall  be  capped  or  incased  so  that  they  can  not  cut  through 
their  covering.  Blades  shall  be  bound  so  that  they  mil 
remain  ffi*mly  attached  to  each  other  or  within  their 
handles  or  sockets.  Plowshares,  stove  castings,  pieces  of 
machinery,  etc.,  shall  have  all  points,  edges,  and  corners 
thoroughly  protected  with  excelsior  or  similar  material 
and  be  wrapped  in  burlap,  cloth,  or  tough  paper,  or  be 


52  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

properly  boxed  to  prevent  damage  to  mail  or  equipment, 
when  intended  for  other  than  local  delivery. 

8.  Ink  powders,  flour,  pepper,  snuff,  or  other  similar 
powders  not  explosive,  or  any  similar  pulverized  dry  sub- 
stance not  poisonous,  shall  be  accepted  when  inclosed  in 
the  manner  prescribed  herein  for  liquids,  or  when  inclosed 
in  cases  made  of  metal,  wood,  papier-mache,  or  similar 
material,  in  such  manner  as  to  render  impossible  the 
escape  of  any  of  the  contents. 

9.  Candles,  confectionery,  yeast  cakes,  soap  in  hard 
cakes,  etc.,  shall  be  inclosed  in  boxes  and  so  wi-apped  as 
to  prevent  injury  to  other  mail  matter. 

10.  Mailable  hides  and  pelts  (sees.  472  and  477^)  shall  be 
thoroughly  wrapped  to  prevent  grease  soaking  through  the 
package  and  damaging  other  mail  matter. 

11.  Unloaded  pistols  or  guns  may  be  sent  in  the  mails, 
but  the  postmaster  at  the  mailing  office  shall  carefully 
examine  such  packages  and  shall  receive  them  only  when 
sure  they  are  harmless.  Cartridges  or  loaded  shells  are 
not  mailable. 

12.  Fragile  articles,  such  as  millinery,  toys,  musical 
instruments,  etc.,  and  articles  consisting  wholly  or  in  part 
of  glass,  or  contained  in  glass,  shall  be  securely  packed  and 
the  parcel  stamped  or  labeled  "Fragile."  Parcels  so 
labeled  shall  be  handled  with  the  greatest  possible  care. 

Sec.  475.  Perishable  articles. — Parcels  containing  per- 
ishable articles  shall  be  marked  "Perishable."  Articles 
likely  to  spoil  within  the  time  reasonably  required  for 
transportation  and  delivery  shall  not  be  accepted  for 
mailing. 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  53 

2.  Butter,  lard,  and  perishable  articles,  such  as  fish, 
fresh  meats,  dressed  fowls,  vegetables,  fruits,  berries,  and 
articles  of  a  similar  nature  which  decay  quickly  shall  be 
accepted  for  mailing  to  any  office  which,  in  the  ordinary 
course  of  mail,  they  can  reach  without  spoiling,  when 
inclosed  in  crates,  boxes,  baskets,  or  other  suitable  con- 
tainers, 80  constructed  as  properly  to  protect  the  contesnts 
and  prevent  the  escape  of  anything  therefrom.  If  neces- 
sary for  safe  shipment,  such  parcels  shall  be  transported 
outside  of  mail  bags.  Berries,  fruits,  and  vegetables  shall 
not  be  accepted  for  mailing  unless  they  are  in  good,  dry 
shipping  condition. 

3.  Eggs  shall  be  accepted  for  mailing  when  packed  in 
crates,  boxes,  baskets,  or  other  suitable  containers,  so 
constructed  as  properly  to  protect  the  contents.  Such 
packages  to  be  transported  outside  of  mail  bags.  All 
parcels  containing  eggs  shall  be  plainly  marked 
*'EGGS."  T\lien  necessary,  they  should  be  marked 
"THIS  SIDE  UP." 

4.  Eggs  for  hatching  shall  be  accepted  for  mailing  when 
each  egg  is  wrapped  separately  and  surrounded  with 
excelsior,  wood  wool,  or  other  suitable  material  and 
jJacked  in  a  basket,  preferably  -with  a  handle,  or  other 
suitable  container,  lined  with  paper,  fiber  board,  or  cor- 
rugated pasteboard,  in  such  a  way  that  nothing  can  escape 
from  the  package.  Such  parcels  shall  be  labeled  "Eggs 
for  Hatching,"  "Keep  from  Heat  and  Cold,"  "Please 
Handle  with  Care,"  or  other  suitable  words,  and  shall  be 
handled  outside  of  mail  sacks. 

5.  Eggs  shall  be  accepted  for  local  delivery  when  so 
packed  in  a  basket  or  other  container  as  to  prevent  damage 
to  other  mail  matter. 


54  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

6.  Eggs  shall  be  accepted  for  mailing  regardless  of  dis- 
tance when  packed  in  containers  of  double-faced  cor- 
rugated pasteboard,  metal,  wood,  or  other  suitable  material 
sufficiently  strong  to  prevent  the  crushing  of  the  eggs,  and 
tight  enough  to  prevent  the  escape  of  liquid  if  any  eggs 
should  accidently  be  broken,  and  each  egg  is  placed  in  a 
separate  compartment  or  is  wrapped  separately  or  sur- 
rounded with  excelsior,  cotton,  or  other  suitable  material. 
All  such  parcels  to  be  labeled  "Eggs,"  and  such  parcels  as 
contain  more  than  two  dozen  eggs  to  be  transported  out- 
side of  mail  bags, 

7.  Eggs  in  parcels  weighing  more  than  20  pounds  shall 
be  accepted  for  mailing  to  offices  in  the  first  and  second 
zones  when  packed  in  crates,  boxes,  buckets,  or  other  con- 
tainers having  tight  bottoms  to  prevent  the  escape  of  any- 
thing from  the  package  and  so  constructed  as  properly  to 
protect  the  contents.  Such  packages  to  be  marked 
"Eggs — This  side  up,"  and  to  be  transported  outside  of 
mail  bags. 

8.  Eggs  for  hatching  shall  be  accepted  for  mailing,  re- 
gardless of  distance,  when  each  egg  is  wrapped  separately 
and  surrounded  with  excelsior,  wood  wool,  or  other  suit- 
able material,  and  packed  in  a  basket,  preferably  with 
a  handle,  or  other  suitable  container,  lined  "with  paper, 
fiber  board  or  corrugated  pasteboard,  in  such  a  way  that 
nothing  can  escape  from  the  package.  Such  parcel  shall 
be  labeled  "Eggs  for  Hatching,"  "Keep  from  Heat  and 
Cold,'^  "Please  Handle  with  Care,"  or  other  suitable 
words,  and  shall  be  handled  outside  of  mail  sacks. 

Sec.  476.  Bees,  Animals,  etc. — Queen  bees  and  their 
attendant  bees,  when  accompanied  with  a  copy  of  a  certif- 


_  RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  55 

icate  of  the  current  year  from  a  State  or  Government 
apiary  inspector  to  the  effect  that  the  apiary  from  which 
said  queen  bees  are  shipped  is  free  from  disease  or  by  a 
copy  of  a  statement  by  the  bee  keeper  made  before  a  notary 
public  or  other  officer  having  a  seal  that  the  honey  used  in 
making  the  candy  used  in  the  queen  mailing  cage  has  been 
diluted  and  boiled  in  a  closed  vessel;  beneficial  insects, 
when  shipped  by  departments  of  entomology  in  agricul- 
tural colleges  and  persons  holding  official  entomological 
positions;  other  live  insects,  when  addressed  to  the  Bureau 
of  Entomology  the  United  States  Department  of  Agricul- 
ture, to  departments  of  entomology  in  State  agricultural 
colleges,  and  to  persons  holding  official  entomological 
positions;  and  dried  insects  and  dried  reptiles  may  be 
sent  in  the  mails  when  so  put  up  as  to  render  it  practically 
impossible  that  the  package  shall  be  broken  in  transit,  or 
the  persons  handling  the  same  be  injured,  or  the  mail 
bags  or  their  contents  soiled. 

(a)  Honey  bees  in  quantities  may  be  sent  in  the  mails 
without  insurance  or  C.  0.  D.  privileges  under  the  same 
conditions  as  are  prescribed  for  queen  bees  and  their 
attendant  bees  when  delivery  can  be  made  to  the  address- 
ees within  a  period  of  five  days.  If  the  cages  are  wooden 
the  material  of  which  they  are  constructed  shall  not  be 
less  than  three-eighths  of  an  inch  thick  and  the  saw  cuts 
therein  or  space  between  slats  shall  not  be  over  one-eighth 
of  an  inch  wide ;  if  wire  screen  is  used  for  the  sides  of  the 
cages  there  shall  be  two  thicknesses  of  screen  separated  by 
slats  at  least  three-eighths  of  an  inch  in  thickness.  The 
container  shall  be  provided  with  a  suitable  handle  and 
no  water  or  liquid  food  shall  be  placed  therein.  Such 
parcels  shall  be  transported  outside  of  mail  bags. 


56  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    KEGULATIONS. 

2.  Live  day-old  chicks  shall  be  accepted  for  mailing, 
without  insurance  or  C.  O.  D.  privileges,  when  the  pack- 
age in  which  they  are  contained  is  properly  prepared  and 
can  be  delivered  to  the  addressee  within  72  hours  from  the 
time  of  mailing. 

3.  Harmless  live  animals,  having  no  offensive  odor  and 
not  likely  to  become  offensive  in  transit,  and  which  do 
not  require  food  or  water  while  in  transit,  such  as  goldfish 
packed  in  moss,  baby  terrapin,  soft  crabs,  shellfish,  blood 
worms,  chameleons,  etc.,  may  be  sent  in  the  mails  without 
insurance  or  C.  0.  D  privileges,  to  points  they  may  rea- 
sonably be  expected  to  reach  in  good  condition.  They 
must  be  properly  prepared  for  safe  transmission,  and  con- 
tainers must  be  labeled  "Perishable,"  and  the  nature 
of  the  contents  marked  thereon. 

4.  On  and  after  January  1,  1920,  live  day-old  chicks, 
honey  bees,  harmless  live  animals,  live  fowls,  and  live 
domestic  animals,  mailed  under  the  conditions  set  forth  in 
the  preceding  paragi'aphs  of  this  section,  may  be  accepted 
for  insurance  or  collection  on  delivery,  and  indemnity 
will  be  paid  on  account  of  the  outright  loss  thereof  only, 
in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  amended  "section 
488,  paragraph  13. 

Sec.  477.  Cured  meats  and  meat  products. — Fresh, 
salted,  dried,  smoked,  or  cured  meats  and  other  meat 
products  may  be  admitted  to  the  mails  and  may  be  trans- 
ported, regardless  of  distance,  from  one  State  or  Territory 
or  the  District  of  Columbia  to  another  State  or  Territory 
or  the  District  of  Columbia  when  the  provisions  of  the  act 
of  June  30,  1906,  and  the  regulations  promulgated  there- 
under by  the  Department  of  Agriculture  have  been  com- 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  57 

plied  with:  Provided,  however,  That  fresh  meat  iu  any 
form  shall  be  accepted  for  mailing  only  to  post  offices 
which,  in  the  ordinary  course  of  mail,  it  can  be  sent  with- 
out spoiling.     (See  sec.  475.) 

*  4t  *  *  •Jf 

Sec.  477 1 .  Game  birds  and  animals. — Postmasters  shall 
not  accept  for  mailing  any  parcel  containing  the  dead 
bodies,  or  parts  thereof,  of  any  wild  animals  or  birds  which 
have  been  killed  or  are  offered  for  shipment  in  violation 
of  the  laws  of  the  State,  Territory,  or  District  in  which  the 
same  were  killed  or  offered  for  shipment:  Provided,  hoiu- 
ever,  That  the  foregoing  shall  not  be  construed  to  prevent 
the  acceptance  for  mailing  of  any  dead  animals  or  birds 
killed  during  the  season  when  the  same  may  be  lawfully 
captured,  and  the  export  of  which  is  not  proliibited  by  the 
law  in  the  State,  Territory,  or  District  in  which  the  same 
are  captured  or  killed . 

2.  Parcels  containing  the  dead  bodies  of  any  game 
animals,  or  parts  thereof,  including  furs,  skins,  skulls,  or 
meat,  or  of  any  game  or  -wild  birds,  or  parts  thereof,  includ- 
ing skins,  or  plumage,  may  be  admitted  to  the  mails  only 
when  plainly  marked  on  the  outside  to  show  the  actual 
nature  of  the  contents  and  the  name  and  address  of  the 
sender  or  shipper:  Provided,  hoivever,  That  no  parcel  con- 
taining fresh  game  in  any  form  may  be  accepted  for  trans- 
mission beyond  the  second  zone.     (See  sec  475.) 

3.  Postmasters  desiring  additional  information  on  this 

subject  should  address  the  Third  Assistant  Postmaster 

General,  Division  of  Classification, 

Note.— Sections  242,  243,  and  244,  act  of  Maxell  4, 1909,  35  Stat.  1137, 
make  it  unlawful  to  ship  in  interstate  commerce  the  dead  bodies,  or 
parts  thereof,  of  any  game  animals  or  wild  birds  which  have  been  killed 
or  shipped  in  violation  of  the  laws  of  the  State,  Territory,  or  District  in 
which  the  same  were  killed,  or  from  which  they  were  shipped. 


58  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

Sec.  478.  Plant  quarantine  act. — When  any  State,  Terri- 
tory, or  District  of  the  United  States,  or  any  portion  thereof 
is  quarantined  by  order  of  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture, 
with  respect  to  a  plant  disease  or  insect  infestation,  under 
the  provisions  of  the  plant  quarantine  act  of  August  20, 
1912  (37  Stat.  315),  the  acceptance  for  mailtag  from  such 
quarantined  State,  Territory,  or  District,  or  any  portion 
thereof,  into  or  through  any  other  State,  Territory,  or  Dis- 
trict, of  any  class  of  nursery  stock,  plants,  or  plant  products 
covered  by  such  quarantine  order,  shall  be  subject  to  the 
restrictions  of  that  order. 

2 .  Nursery  stock,  including  all  field-grown  florists'  stock, 
trees,  shrubs,  vines,  cuttings,  grafts,  scions,  buds,  fruit  pits 
and  other  seeds  of  fruit  and  ornamental  trees  or  shrubs,  and 
other  plants  and  plant  products  for  propagation,  except 
field,  vegetable,  and  flower  seeds,  bedding  plants,  and 
other  herbaceous  plants,  bulbs,  and  roots,  may  be  admitted 
to  the  mails  only  when  accomp3,nied  with  a  certificate 
from  a  State  or  Government  inspector  to  the  effect  that  the 
nursery  from  which  such  nursery  stock  is  shipped  has  been 
inspected  within  a  year  and  found  free  from  injurious 
insects,  and  the  parcel  containing  such  nursery  stock  is 
plainly  marked  to  show  the  nature  of  the  contents  and  the 
name  and  address  of  the  sender. 

Sec.  479.  TJnmailable  matter. — Unmailable  matter  in- 
cludes all  matter  which  is  by  law,  regulation,  or  treaty 
stipulation  prohibited  from  being  transmitted  in  the 
mails,  or  which  by  reason  of  illegible,  incorrect,  or  insuifi- 
cient  address  it  is  found  impossible  to  forward  to  destina- 
tion.   Unmailable  matter  is  classified  as  follows: 


EUBAL    MAIL    SERVICE. 


59 


(a)  Matter  which  is  insufficiently  prepaid  to  entitle  it 
to  be  dispatched  in  the  mail. 

(6)  Matter  -without  address  or  so  incorrectly,  insuffi- 
ciently, or  illegibly  addressed  that  it  can  not  be  trans- 
mitted to  its  destination. 

(c)  Matter  which  from  its  harmful  nature  is  forbidden 
to  be  in  the  mails.     (See  sees.  472  to  474.) 

(d)  Matter  so  damaged  in  transit  that  it  can  not  be  for- 
warded to  its 'destination,  matter  of  value  found  loose  in 
the  mails  without  address ,  so  that  the  destination  can  not 
be  known,  and  all  matter  recovered  after  depredations 
in  the  mails,  which  shall  be  forwarded  to  the  department 
for  disposition. 

(e)  Packages  exceeding  the  limit  of  weight  or  size 
allowed.     (See  sees.  462  and  463.) 

(/)  Obscene  matter.     (See  sec.  480.) 

(g)  Libelous  and  indecent  matter.     (See  sec.  481.) 

(A)  Lottery  matter.     (See  sec.  482.) 

(i)  Fraudulent  matter.     (See  sec.  484.) 

(J)  Publications  which  ^dolate  copjTights  granted  by 
the  United  States. 

Sec.  480.  Obscene  matter  umnailable.— Every  obscene,  lewd,  or 
lascivious,  and  every  filthy  book,  pamphlet,  picture,  paper,  letter,  writ- 
ing, print,  or  other  publication  of  an  indecent  character,  and  every 
article  or  thing  designed,  adapted,  or  intended  for  preventing  conception 
or  producing  abortion,  or  for  any  indecent  or  immoral  use;  and  every 
article,  instrument,  substance,  drug,  medicine,  or  thing  which  is  adver- 
tised or  described  in  a  manner  calculated  to  lead  another  to  use  or  apply 
it  for  preventing  conception  or  producing  abortion,  or  for  any  indecent 
or  immoral  purpose;  and  every  written  or  printed  card,  letter,  circular, 
book,  pamphlet,  advertisement,  or  notice  of  any  kind  giving  informa- 
tion, directly  or  indirectly,  where,  or  how,  or  from  whom,  or  by  what 
means  any  of  the  hereinbefore-mentioned  matters,  articles,  or  things 


60  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

may  be  obtained  or  made,  or  where  or  by  whom  any  act  or  operation  of 
any  kind  for  the  procuring  or  producing  of  abortion  will  be  done  or  per- 
formed, or  how  or  by  what  means  conception  may  be  prevented  or  abor- 
tion produced,  whether  sealed  or  unsealed;  and  every  letter,  packet,  or 
package,  or  other  mail  matter  containing  any  filthy,  vile,  or  indecent 
thing,  device,  or  substance;  and  every  paper,  ^v^iting,  advertisement, 
jor  representation  that  any  article,  instrument,  substance,  drug,  medi- 
cine, or  thing  may,  or  can,  be  used  or  applied  for  preventing  conception 
or  producing  abortion,  or  for  any  indecent  or  immoral  purpose;  and 
every  description  calculated  to  induce  or  incite  a  person  to  so  use  or  apply 
any  such  article,  instrument,  substance,  drug,  medicine,  or  thing  is 
hereby  declared  to  be  nonmailable  matter  and  shall  not  be  conveyed  in 
the  mails  or  delivered  from  any  post  office  or  by  any  letter  carrier.  Who- 
ever shall  knowingly  deposit,  or  cause  to  be  deposited  for  mailing  or 
delivery,  anything  declared  by  this  section  to  be  nonmailable,  or  shall 
knowingly  take,  or  cause  the  same  to  be  taken,  from  the  mails  for  the 
purpose  of  circulating  or  disposing  thereof,  or  of  aiding  in  the  circulation 
or  disposition  thereof,  shall  be  fined  not  more  than  five  thousand  dollars, 
or  imprisoned  not  more  than  five  years,  or  both. 

And  the  term  "indecent"  within  the  intendment  of  this  section  shall 
include  matter  of  a  character  tending  to  incite  arson,  murder,  or  assas- 
sination. 

2.  That  any  person  who  knowingly  and  wilfully  deposits  or  causes 
to  be  deposited  for  conveyance  in  the  mail  or  for  delivery  from  any  post 
office  or  by  any  letter  carrier  any  letter,  paper,  writing,  print,  missive, 
or  docimient  containing  any  threat  to  take  the  life  of  or  to  inflict  bodily 
harm  upon  the  President  of  the  United  States,  or  who  knowingly  and 
wilfully  otherwise  makes  any  such  threat  against  the  President,  shall 
upon  con\'iction  be  fiiied  not  exceeding  $1,000  or  imprisoned  not  exceed- 
ing five  years,  or  both.    (Act  of  Feb.  14,  1917.) 

3.  The  postmaster  shall  not  give  opinions  to  the  public, 
and  when  in  doubt  as  to  the  mailability  of  any  matter 
under  the  above  statutes  he  shall  submit  the  question 
with  samples  of  the  matter  to  the  Solicitor  for  the  Post 
Office  Department  for  instructions. 

Sec.  481.  Libelous  and  indecent  matter  on  wrappers  or  envel- 
opes.—All  matter  otherwise  mailable  by  law,  upon  the  envelope  or 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  61 

outside  cover  or  wrapper  of  which,  or  any  postal  card  upon  which,  any 
delineations,  epithets,  terms,  or  language  of  an  indecent,  lewd,  lascivious, 
obscene,  Ubelous,  scurrilous,  defamatory,  or  threatening  character,  or 
calculated  by  the  terms  or  manner  or  style  of  display  and  obviously 
intended  to  reflect  injuriously  upon  the  character  or  conduct  of  another, 
may  be  written  or  printed  or  otherwise  impressed  or  apparent,  are  hereby 
declared  nonmailable  matter,  and  shall  not  be  conveyed  in  the  mails 
nor  dchvered  from  any  post  office  nor  by  any  letter  carrier,  and  shall  be 
withdrav/n  from  the  mails  under  such  regulations  as  the  Postmaster 
General  shall  prescribe.  Whoever  shall  knowingly  deposit  or  cause 
to  be  deposited,  for  mailing  or  delivery,  anything  declared  by  this  sec- 
tion to  be  nonmailable  matter,  or  shall  knowingly  take  the  same  or 
cause  the  same  to  be  taken  from  the  mails  for  the  purpose  of  circulating 
or  disposing  of  or  aiding  in  the  circulation  or  disposition  of  the  same,  shall 
be  fined  not  more  than  five  thousand  dollars,  or  imprisoned  not  more 
than  five  years,  or  both. 

***** 
Sec.  482.  Lottery,  gift  enterprise,  etc.,  circulars  not  mailable.— 
No  letter,  package,  postal  card,  or  circular  concerning  any  lottery,  gift 
enterprise,  or  similar  scheme  offering  prizes  dependent  in  whole  or  in 
part  upon  lot  or  chance;  and  no  lottery  ticket  or  part  thereof,  or  paper, 
certificate,  or  instniment  purporting  to  be  or  to  represent  a  ticket,  chance, 
share,  or  interest  in  or  dependent  upon  the  event  of  a  lottery,  gift  enter- 
prise, or  similar  scheme  offering  prizes  dependent  in  whole  or  in  part 
upon  lot  or  chance;  and  no  check,  draft,  bill,  money,  postal  note,  or 
money  order,  for  the  purchase  of  any  ticket  or  part  thereof,  or  of  any 
share  or  chance  in  any  such  lottery,  gift  enterprise,  or  scheme;  and  no 
newspaper,  circular,  pamphlet,  or  publication  of  any  kind  containing 
any  advertisement  of  any  lottery,  gift  enterprise,  or  scheme  of  any  kind 
offering  prizes  dependent  in  whole  or  in  part  upon  lot  or  chance,  or  con- 
taining any  Ust  of  the  prizes  drawn  or  awarded  by  means  of  any  such  lot- 
tery, gift  enterprise,  or  scheme,  whether  said  hst  contains  any  part  or  all 
of  such  prizes,  shall  be  deposited  in  or  carried  by  the  mails  of  the  United 
States,  or  be  delivered  by  any  postmaster  or  letter  carrier.  Whoever 
shall  knowingly  deposit  or  cause  to  be  deposited,  or  shall  knowingly 
send  or  cause  to  be  sent,  anj^hing  to  be  conveyed  or  delivered  by  mail 
in  violation  of  the  provisions  of  this  section,  or  shall  knowingly  deliver 
or  cause  to  be  delivered  by  mail  anything  herein  forbidden  to  be  carried 
by  mail,  shall  be  fined  not  more  than  one  thousand  dollars,  or  impris- 


62  POSTAL   LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

oned  not  more  than  two  years,  or  both;  and  for  any  subsequent  offense 
shall  bo  imprisoned  not  more  than  five  years.  Any  person  violating 
any  provision  of  this  section  may  be  tried  and  punished  either  in  the 
district  in  which  the  unlawful  matter  or  publication  was  mailed,  or  to 
which  it  was  carried  by  mail  for  delivery  according  to  the  direction 
thereon,  or  in  which  it  was  caused  to  be  delivered  by  mail  to  the  person 
to  whom  it  was  addressed. 

Sec.  483.  Term  "  lottery  "  defined. — The  term  "lot- 
tery, ' '  as  used  in  section  482,  embraces  all  kinds  of  schemes, 
general  or  local,  for  the  distribution  of  prizes  by  lot  or 
chance,  such  as  gift  exhibitions  or  enterprises,  concerts, 
raffles,  or  the  drawing  of  prizes  in  money  or  property  at 
fairs. 

2.  Section  482  applies  to  any  letter,  ordinary  or  regis- 
tered, if  it  concerns  any  lottery,  gift  concert,  or  scheme 
described  in  said  section,  and  to  lottery  tickets,  checks, 
drafts,  bills,  money,  postal  notes,  or  money  orders  for  the 
purchase  of  lottery  tickets,  or  any  share  or  chance  in  a  lot- 
tery or  gift  enterprise,  and  to  the  list  of  the  drawings  at  any 
lottery  or  similar  scheme. 

3.  The  law  prohibits  the  mailing  of  "lottery  "  matter  by 
citizens  to  lottery  concerns  and  their  representatives  as 
well  as  the  mailing  of  such  matter  by  lottery  companies  to 
their  customers  and  other  persons. 

Sec.  486.  Fictitious  matter.— The  Postmaster  General  may,  upon 
evidence  satisfactory  to  him,  that  any  person  is  using  any  fictitious,  false, 
or  assumed  name,  title,  or  address  in  conducting,  promoting,  or  carrying 
on,  or  assisting  therein,  by  means  of  the  post-office  establishment  of  the 
United  States,  any  business  scheme  or  device  in  violation  of  the  provi- 
sions of  this  act  *  *  *  instruct  any  postmaster  at  any  post  office  at 
which  such  letters,  cards,  or  packets,  addressed  to  such  fictitious,  false, 
or  assumed  name  or  address  arrive  to  notify  the  party  claiming  or  receiv- 
ing such  letters,  cards,  or  packets  to  appear  at  the  post  office  and  be  iden- 
tified; and  if  the  party  so  notified  fail  to  appear  and  be  identified,  or  if  it 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  63 

shall  satisfactorily  appear  that  such  letters,  cards,  or  packets  are  ad- 
drassed  to  a  fictitious,  false,  or  assumed  name  or  address,  such  letters, 
postal  cards,  or  packages  shall  be  forwarded  to  the  Dead  Letter  Office 
as  fictitious  matter. 

2.  Whenever  the  Postmaster  General  is  satisfied  that  letters  or  packets 
sent  in  the  mails  are  addressed  to  places  not  the  residence  or  business 
address  of  the  persons  for  whom  they  are  intended,  to  enable  such  persons 
to  escape  identification,  he  may  direct  postmasters  to  deliver  such  letters 
only  from  the  post  office  upon  identification  of  persons  addressed. 

Sec.  488.  Insurance  of  fonrth-class  mail. — *  *  * 
2.  Fourth-class  mail  shall  not  be  registered,  but  may  be 
insured  against  injury  or  loss  in  an  amount  equivalent  to 
its  actual  value,  but  not  to  exceed  $5  in  any  one  case,  on 
payment  of  a  fee  of  3  cents;  not  to  exceed  $25  on  payment 
of  a  fee  of  5  cents;  not  to  exceed  $50  on  payment  of  a  fee 
of  10  cents,  or  not  to  exceed  $100  on  payment  of  a  fee  of  25 
cents,  in  addition  to  the  postage,  both  to  be  prepaid  by 
stamps  afiixed;  but  indemnity  will  not  be  allowed  in 
cases  of  such  mail  addressed  to  the  Philippine  Islands, 
unless  the  injury  or  loss  occurred  in  the  Postal  Service 
of  the  United  States. 

3.  No  article  of  any  class  bearing  the  word  "  Insured  " 
on  the  outside  envelope  or  wrapper,  or  on  a  tag  or  label 
attached  thereto,  shall  be  accepted  for  mailing,  except 
insured  parcel-post  mail. 

4.  When  a  parcel  is  insured,  the  sender  shall  be  given 
a  receipt  showing  the  office,  date  of  mailing,  number  of 
package,  and  the  amount  of  insurance  fee  paid.  The 
record  retained  at  the  maiHng  office  shall  also  show  the 
amount  of  insurance  fee  paid.  The  parcels  should  be 
numbered  consecutively,  the  numbering  to  commence 
anew  on  July  1,  or  other  authorized  times.     The  number 


64  POSTAL    LAWS    A]SD    REGULATIONS. 

of  the  receipt  shall  correspond  with  that  on  the  parcel, 
and  the  latter  shall  be  marked  or  stamped  ''Insured." 
The  package  shall  then  be  treated  as  ordinary  mail  until 
it  reaches  the  ofhce  of  address. 

5.  Delivery  of  insured  fourth-class  mail  shall  be  made 
in  accordance  with  the  regulations  governing  the  delivery 
of  registered  mail,  except  that  no  receipt  shall  be  taken 
from  the  person  to  whom  delivery  is  made  to  serve  as  a 
record  for  the  oflSice  of  address.  (See  Sees.  935  to  939, 
inclusiA^e,  and  sec.  1083^.) 

G.  Damaged  articles  must  not  be  withheld  from  delivery. 

7.  Rural  carriers  shall  accept  for  insurance  parcels  of 
fourth-class  mail. 

8,  When  a  return  receipt  is  desired  by  the  sender  of  an 
insured  parcel,  he  should  indorse  the  envelope  or  wrapper 
of  the  parcel  "Receipt  desired."  This  indorsement  may 
be  written  or  stamped  by  the  postmaster  at  the  mailing 
office,  and  the  postmaster  at  the  office  of  delivery  shall 
obtain  a  return  receipt  from  the  addressee,  on  Form  3811, 
which  shall  be  mailed  to  the  sender.  See  section  931, 
paragraph  3,*  as  to  method  of  signing.  A  signature  by 
mark  (x)  shall  be  attested  by  a  reputable  witness. 

Sec.  489.  Coll8ct-on-delivery  service. — The  sender  of 
a  mailable  parcel  of  fourth-class  matter  on  which  the 
postage  is  fully  prepaid  may  have  the  price  of  the  article  and 
the  charges  thereon  collected  from  the  addressee  on  pay- 
ment of  a  fee  of  10  cents  in  postage  stamps  affixed,  provided 
the  amount  to  be  remitted  does  not  exceed  $50,  and  on 
the  payment  of  a  fee  of  25  cents  in  postage  stamps  affixed, 
provided  the  amount  to  be  remitted  does  not  exceed  $100. 
Such  a  parcel  mil  be  insured  against  injury  or  loss,  with- 


RUEAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  65 

out  additional  charge,  in  an  amount  equivalent  to  its 
actual  value,  but  not  to  exceed  $50  when  a  10-cent  fee 
is  paid,  and  $100  when  a  25-cent  fee  is  paid,  indemnity 
to  be  paid  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  amended 
paragraph  13,  section  4S8. 

2.  The  sender  of  a  collect-on-delivery  (C.  O.  D.)  parcel 
shall  be  given  a  receipt  showing  the  office  and  date  of 
mailing,  the  number  of  the  parcel,  and  the  amount  due 
him. 

3.  C.  O.  D.  parcels  shall  be  accepted  for  mailing  only 
at  a  money-order  office  and  when  addressed  to  a  money- 
order  office.  Rural  carriers  shall  accept  such  parcels. 
Money-order  offices  are  designated  in  the  parcel  post  guide 
by  an  asterisk  (*)  or  a  dagger  (f).  The  postmaster  at  the 
mailing  office  will  be  held  responsible  for  the  postage 
required  for  the  return  of  a  parcel  addressed  to  a  non- 
money-order  office. 

*  *  *  *  * 

5.  The  C.  0.  D.  tag  shall  show  the  amount  due  the 
sender,  the  money-order  fee  necessary  to  make  tlie  remit- 
tance, and  the  total  amount  to  be  collected.  It  shall  be 
securely  attached  to  the  parcel,  which  shall  be  num- 
bered to  correspond  with  the  tag,  stamped  C.  0.  D.,  and 
the  charges  to  be  collected  plainly  written  thereon.  The 
parcel  shall  be  treated  as  ordinary  mail  until  it  reaches 
the  office  of  address,  where,  on  payment  of  all  charges, 
it  shall  be  delivered  to  the  addressee  or,  unless  otherwise 
directed  by  the  addressee,  to  the  person,  firm,  or  corpo- 
ration in  whose  care  it  is  addressed,  or  to  any  responsible 
j;-erson  to  whom  the  addressee's  ordinary  mail  is  customarily 
32657°— 21 5 


66  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    EEGLT.ATIONS. 

delivered.    A  receipt  for  the  parcel  shall  be  obtained  on 
the  tag  attached  thereto.     (See  par.  4,  sec.  488.) 

6.  When  a  C.  O.  D.  parcel  is  received  without  the  tag 
attached,  the  charges  shown  on  the  parcel  shall  be  col- 
lected and  the  prescribed  receipt  obtained  from  the  ad- 
dressee. 

7.  An  employee  shall  receipt  for  the  total  number  of 
parcels  given  him  for  delivery.  This  receipt  shall  be  sur- 
rendered to  him  either  on  the  return  of  the  parcels  or  the 
receipted  tags  and  the  total  amount  to  be  collected. 

8.  The  receipted  tag  shall  be  considered  as  the  addres- 
see's application  for  a  money  order  for  the  amount  due  the 
sender.  A  money  order  shall  then  be  issued,  stamped 
C.  O.  D.,  and  mailed  to  the  sender  in  a  penalty  envelope 
by  the  postmaster,  who  shall  enter  on  the  tag  the  number 
of  the  money  order,  the  amount  and  date  of  issue,  and  file 
it  with  other  money-order  applications.  No  return  receipt 
shall  be  furnished  the  sender,  as  the  money  order  ser^'.-es 
that  purpose. 

9.  The  addressee  shall  not  be  permitted  to  examine  the 
contents  of  a  C.  0.  D.  parcel  until  it  has  been  receipted 
for  and  all  charges  paid.  A  parcel  may  be  refused  when 
it  is  tendered  for  delivery,  but  after  delivery  has  been 
effected  it  can  not  be  returned  on  account  of  dissatisfaction 
with  the  contents  or  the  amoimt  collected. 

10.  A  parcel  may  be  forwarded,  in  accordance  with  sec- 
tion 595,  without  the  payment  of  an  additional  C.  O.  D. 
fee.  When  so  forwarded,  a  duplicate  receipt  tag  shall  be 
filed  showing  the  office  to  which  it  is  forwarded. 

***** 

12.  The  department  will  not  be  responsible  for  en'ors 
made  by  senders  in  stating  the  collection  charges  or  for 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  67 

any  misunderstanding  between  senders  and   addressees 
regarding  the  character  or  contents  of  parcels. 

When  insured  and  C,  0.  D.  parcels  are  received  for 
delivery  to  patrons  of  rural  routes,  they  must  be  assigned 
to  the  rural  carriers  and  delivery  effected  in  accordance 
with  the  regulations  governing  the  delivery  of  registered 
mail  in  so  far  as  they  are  applicable.  The  carriers  will 
return  any  receipts  requested,  the  charges  collected  on 
C.  0.  D.  parcels,  and  receipted  tags  for  C.  O.  D.  parcels 
to  the  post  office  for  appropriate  disposition.  Such  parcels 
must  not  be  placed  in  rural  mail  boxes.  If  the  residence 
is  more  than  one-half  mile  from  a  rural  route,  the  carrier 
is  not  required  or  expected  to  make  delivery  thereat. 
In  the  latter  case,  the  carrier  should  leave  a  notice  in 
the  rural  mail  box  so  that  the  addressee  can  be  at  the  box 

on  the  next  trip,  or  call  for  the  mail  at  the  post  ofiice. 

*  *  *  -x-  * 

Sec.  489|.  Acceptance  by  niral  carriers  of  parcels  for 
insurance  and  CO.  D. — Postmasters  at  all  rural-delivery 
offices  shall  see  that  rural  carriers  are  instructed  to  accept 
parcels  from  patrons  on  rural  routes  for  insurance  or  collec- 
tion on  delivery,  are  equipped  with  zone  keys  and  guides, 
and  furnished  with  a  supply  of  insurance  receipts  and 
C.  0.  D.  tags. 

2.  A  canier  shall  be  assigned  one  series  of  nimibers  for 
insured  mail  and  another  series  of  numbers  for  C.  0.  D. 
mail,  in  addition  to  the  series  assigned  for  registered  mail, 
and  such  series  of  numbers  shall  be  assigned  in  conformity 
with  the  scheme  laid  down  in  section  1072  for  numbering 
registered  mail.  Carriers  must  keep  a  memorandum  of 
the  last  number  used,  so  that  every  number  in  each  series 


68  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    EEGL-LATIOXS. 

may  be  accounted  for.  T\'lien  a  patron  desires  to  insure  a 
parcel,  the  carrier  shall  issue  a  receipt  therefor,  properly 
numbered  and  otherwise  completed,  make  appropriate 
entries  on  the  stub  of  such  receipt,  and  indorse  the  wrapper 
of  the  parcel  with  its  number.  If  it  is  desired  that  a  parcel 
be  sent  collect  on  delivery,  the  carrier  shall  indorse  the 
C.  O.  D.  number  on  the  wrapper  and  furnish  the  patron 
with  a  correspondingly  numbered  C.  O.  D.  tag  after  making 
appropriate  entries  on  the  two  coupons,  and  the  patron 
must  fill  in  (if  practicable,  with  ink  or  indelible  pencil)  the 
amount  of  charges  and  the  names  and  addresses  of  the 
sender  and  addressee.  The  receipt  for  insured  mail,  and 
the  sender's  receipt  on  the  tag  if  C.  0.  D.,  shall  also  be 
dated,  signed  with  the  carrier's  initials  and  route  number, 
and  notation  included  thereon  of  any  special  indorsement 
appearing  on  the  parcel .  The  stubs  and  mailing  office  cou- 
pons, respectively,  for  all  insured  and  C.  0.  D.  parcels  ac- 
cepted on  rural  routes  must  be  kept  in  a  numerical  file  at 
the  post  office. 

3.  Inquiry  as  to  the  manner  of  pacldng  and  the  articles 
inclosed  should  be  made  by  carriers  when  parcels  are  ten- 
dered by  patrons,  and  parcels  must  not  be  accepted  unless 
they  are  properly  packed  and  indorsed.  (See  sees.  474 
and  475,  as  amended.) 

4.  The  required  amount  of  postage  and  fee  shall  be 
affixed  in  stamps  to  the  parcel,  and  it  shall  be  delivered  at 
the  post  office  (the  tag  filled  out  and  attached  when  the 
parcel  is  C.  O.  D.).  If  perishable  or  fragile  articles  are 
inclosed,  a  notation  should  be  made  by  the  carrier  so  that 
the  parcel,  and  the  tag  coupons  also  if  C.  0.  D.,  may  be 


SURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  69 

properly  impreBsed  with  the  regulation  ''Perishable"  or 
"Fragile"  stamp  at  the  post  office. 

5.  Insured  and  C.  O.  D.  parcels  accepted  by  rural  car- 
riers must  be  carefully  examined  at  the  post  office  before 
dispatch  to  ascertain  that  appropriate  indorsements  are 
thereon,  the  required  postage  and  fee  are  fully  prepaid, 
and  the  articles  are  packed  in  accordance  with  the  regula- 
tions; also  that  the  tags  of  C.  O.  D.  parcels  are  uniformly 
and  correctly  filled  out. 

6.  A  patron  need  not  necessarily  present  a  parcel  for 
insurance  or  collection  on  delivery  direct  to  the  carrier,  but 
may  be  permitted  to  leave  it  in  the  mail  box  for  subsequent 
collection  by  the  carrier.  In  such  cases  a  sufficient  amount 
in  stamps  must  be  affixed  to  the  parcels  to  pay  the  postage 
and  requisite  fee,  the  parcel  must  be  properly  packed  and 
marked  ''Insured"  or  "C.  0.  D."  as  may  be,  the  C.  O  D. 
tag  properly  filled  in,  attached  if  for  collection  (?>n 
delivery,  and  the  patron  must  leave  a  note  for  the  carrier 
describing  the  contents  of  the  parcel  and  stating  what  part 
of  the  stamps  affixed  represents  the  fee.  Wlien  a  patron 
so  desires,  a  blank  C.  O.  D.  tag  may  be  left  in  the  mail  box 
by  the  carrier  to  be  filled  out  and  attached  to  a  parcel  for 
collection  on  a  succeeding  trip . 

7.  Wlienever  a  carrier  collects  a  parcel  at  a  box  to  be 
sent  insured  or  collect  on  delivery  he  must  note  the  fact 
on  the  stub  of  the  insurance  coupon  or  the  mailing  office 
portion  of  the  C.  O.  D.  tag  and,  if  the  patron  has  not  at- 
tached stamps  but  left  money  therefor,  enter  the  amount 
of  money  found  with  the  parcel  to  cover  postage  and  insur- 
ance or  C.  O.  D.  fee.  This  does  not  apply  where  the  car- 
rier issues  an  official  receipt  direct  to  the  sender. 


70  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

Sec.  511.  Classification  in  international  mails. — Mail 
matter  in  Postal  Union  mails  is  classified  as  follows: 

(a)  Letters. 

(6)  Post  or  postal  cards,  and  post  or  postal  cards  with 
paid  reply. 

(c)  Commercial  papers. 

(d)  Printed  matter. 

(e)  Samples  of  merchandise. 

2.  Post  cards  must  bear  on  the  face  the  heading  "Carte 
postale"  in  French  or  the  equivalent  of  that  heading  in 
another  language.  This  heading  is,  however,  not  obliga- 
tory for  single  post  cards  issued  by  private  establishments. 

*  -;f  *  ir  * 

10.  The  postage  rates  and  conditions  applicable  to 
each  of  the  above-mentioned  classes  of  mail  matter  are 
prescribed  by  the  Universal  Postal  Convention.  Said 
rates,  in  so  far  as  matter  mailed  in  the  United  States  is 
concerned,  are  as  follows:  Letters,  5  cents  for  the  first 
ounce  or  fraction  thereof  and  3  cents  for  each  additional 
ounce  or  fi-action  thereof;  post  or  postal  cards,  .2  cents  each 
for  single  cards  and  4  cents  each  for  cards  with  paid  reply; 
commercial  papers,  5  cents  for  the  first  weight  of  10  ounces 
or  less  and  1  cent  for  each  2  ounces  or  fraction  thereof  in 
addition  to  the  first  10  ounces;  printed  matter,  1  cent  for 
each  2  ounces  or  fraction  of  2  ounces;  samples  of  merchan- 
dise, 2  cents  for  the  first  weight  of  4  ounces  or  less  and  1 
cent  for  each  2  ounces  or  fraction  thereof  in  addition  to 
the  first  4  ounces. 

See  Postal  Guide  for  further  details  respecting  classification, 
postage  rates,  etc. 

11 .  Letters  and  post  or  postal  cards  may  be  dispatched 
whether  or  not  any  postage  is  prepaid  thereon;  other 


RURAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  71 

articles  shall  not  be  dispatched  unless  prepaid  at  least  in 
part;  and  in  all  cases  of  insufficient  prepayment  double 
the  amount  of  the  deficiency  shall  be  collected  of  the  ad- 
dressee. The  option  of  no  prepayment  or  of  part  pre- 
payment of  postage  does  not  apply,  however,  to  either 
letters  or  other  artcles  mailed  with  the  apparent  inten- 
tion of  avoiding  prepayment. 

Sec.  514.  Exceptional  rates — Special  postal  convention. — 
By  virtue  of  special  postal  conventions  or  arrangements, 
United  States  domestic  postage  rates  and  conditions, 
except  as  specially  provided  to  the  contrary,  apply  to 
mail  matter  destined  for  Canada,  Cuba,  Mexico,  and  the 
Republic  of  Panama;  and  the  United  States  domestic 
rate  applies  to  letters  destined  for  the  United  Kingdom  of 
Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  Bahamas,  Barbados,  British 
Guiana,  British  Honduras,  Dominican  Republic,  Dutch 
West  Indies,  Leeward  Islands,  Newfoundland,  New 
Zealand,  and  Trinidad,  including  Tobago. 

Sec.  515.  Matter  for  Shanghai. — Mail  matter  addressed 
for  delivery  in  the  city  of  Shanghai,  China,  shall  be  sub- 
ject to  United  States  domestic  postage  rates,  classification, 
and  conditions. 

Sec.  516.  Matter  to  and  from  United  States  war  ves- 
sels.— All  mail  matter  originating  in  the  United  States  for 
transmission  to  officers  and  members  of  the  crews  of  United 
States  war  vessels  stationed  abroad,  and  all  mail  matter 
originating  with  officers  and  members  of  the  crews  of  such 
vessels  and  destined  for  transmission  to  persons  in  the 
United  States,  shall  be  admitted  to  the  sealed  sacks  for- 
warded to  such  vessels  from  post  offices  in  the  United 
States  or  from  such  vessels  to  such  post  offices  and  be 


72  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

subject  to  ttiG  United  States  classification  conditions  and 
rates  of  postage. 

2.  All  mail  matter  originating  in  the  United  States 
addressed  to  the  officers  and  men  of  the  United  States 
Navy  in  the  United  States  Naval  Hospital  at  Yokohama 
shall  be  subject  to  the  same  conditions  and  rates  of  post- 
age as  articels  mailed  in  the  United  States  addressed  to 
the  officers  and  men  on  United  States  war  vessels. 

Sec.  519.  TJnmailable  foreign  matter. — The  following 
articles  are  prohibited  transmission  in  the  regular  mails 
exchanged  between  the  United  States  and  foreign  coun- 
tries: 

(a)  All  articles,  not  prepared,  at  least  in  part,  except  let- 
ters and  post  cards. 

(6)  Printed  matter,  commercial  papers,  and  samples  of 
merchandise,  containing  any  letter  or  manuscript  note 
ha"VT.ng  the  character  of  an  actual  and  personal  corre- 
spondence. 

(c)  Printed  matter,  commercial  papers,  and  samples  of 
merchandise  not  made  up  in  packets  in  such  manner  as 
to  admit  of  their  being  easily  examined,  or  not  conforming 
to  the  prescribed  conditions  for  such  matter. 

(a)  Samples  of  merchandise  having  a  merchantable 
value,  or  exceeding  the  prescribed  weight  or  size. 

(e)  Packets  of  commercial  papers  and  prints  exceeding 
the  prescribed  weight  or  size. 

(/)  All  articles  of  a  nature  likely  to  soil  or  injure  the 
mails,  or  the  persons  handling  them. 

(g)  Letters  or  packets  containing  current  coin. 

{h)  Gold  or  silver  bullion,  precious  stones,  jewelry,  or 
other  precious   articles  to  or  through  the  mails  of  any 


RURAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  73 

country  whose  lavrs  proMbit  their  being  placed  in  the  mails 
or  forwarded. 

(i)  See  Postal  Guide  for  articles  prohibited  admission  to 
the  mails  for  some  countries,  and  not  for  others. 

2.  All  articles  which  are  not  wi-apped  or  inclosed  as  re- 
quired by  these  regulations;  all  publications  which  violate 
the  copyright  laws  of  the  country  cf  destination;  packets 
which  exceed  4  pounds  6  ounces  in  weight;  liquids, 
poisons,  explosives  or  inflammable  substances,  fatty 
substances,  those  which  easily  liquefy,  live  or  dead  ani- 
mals (not  dried),  insects  and  reptiles,  confections,  pastes, 
fruits  and  vegetables  liable  to  decomposition,  and  sub- 
stances which  exhale  a  bad  odor  are  unmailable. 

3.  All  articles  which  are  not  admissible  to  the  domestic 
mails  on  account  of  the  danger  of  damage  to  the  mails  or 
injury  to  the  persons  handling  the  same,  unless  wrapped  as 
prescribed  by  regulation,  shall  not  be  admitted  to  the  for- 
eign mails,  and  the  statutes  forbidding  the  transmission  in 
the  mails  of  obscene  matter,  or  articles  for  indecent  or  im- 
moral purposes,  of  matter  which  contains  on  the  outside 
cover  or  wrapper  or  postal  cards  bearing  scurrilous  or 
defamatory  words  or  language,  etc.,  of  matter  relating  to 
lotteries  or  similar  enterprises,  including  newspapers,  etc., 
containing  advertisements  of  lotteries,  etc.,  and  of  matter 
relating  to  schemes  to  defraud,  apply  also  to  such  matter 
in  the  foreign  mails;  but  where  such  matter  is  merely  in 
transit  across  the  territory  of  the  United  States,  postal  em- 
ployees shall  not  interfere  with  it. 

Sec.  521.  Parcel  posst  with  certain  foreign  countries. — 
Packages  of  mailable  merchandise  may  be  sent  by  parcel 
post  to  the  countries  with  which  the  United  States  has 


74  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

parcel-post  conventions,   subject  to  the  conditions  and 
rates  of  postage  prescribed  in  said  conventions. 

2.  Parcels  shall  not  exceed  3^  feet  in  greatest  length  nor 
6  feet  in  greatest  length  and  girth  combined,  except  that 
parcels  to  Colombia  and  Mexico  shall  not  exceed  2  feet  in 
greatest  length  nor  4  feet  in  greatest  girth.  Parcels  not 
exceeding  11  pounds  in  weight  may  be  sent  to  all  countries 
with  which  the  United  States  has  parcel-post  conventions, 
except  that  to  certain  post  offices  in  Mexico  (see  Postal 
Guide)  the  limit  of  weight  for  parcels  is  4  pounds  6  ounces. 

3.  Postage  at  the  rate  of  12  cents  for  each  pound  or  frac- 
tion of  a  pound  shall  be  fully  prepaid.  The  registration 
fee,  or  fee  for  a  "return  receipt,"  if  any,  shall  also  be 
prepaid. 

4.  A  parcel  shall  not  be  posted  in  a  letter  box,  but  must 
be  taken  into  a  post  office  or  branch  post  office  or  station, 
or  such  contract  station  as  the  postmaster  may  designate. 

5.  The  delivery  fee  prescribed  by  the  parcel-post  con- 
vention concerned  shall  be  collected  on  the  delivery  of 
ea<}h  parcel  received  from  a  foreign  country,  whether 
delivery  is  made  at  the  post  office  or  at  the  residence 
of  the  addressee,  and  postage-due  stamps  to  the  amount  of 
the  proper  charge  on  the  parcel  shall  be  affixed  thereto 
and  canceled  before  delivery. 

See  Postal  Guide  for  list  of  countries  with  which  there  is  parcel  i)Ost 
service,  and  detailed  information  respecting  such  service. 

Sec.  532.  Privacy  of  matter  under  seal. — No  person  in 
the  Postal  Service,  except  those  employed  for  that  purpose 
in  the  Division  of  Dead  Letters,  shall  break,  or  permit  to 
be  broken,  the  seal  of  any  letter  or  other  matter  while  in 
the  custody  of  the  Postal  Service.    Neither  postmasters, 


BURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  75 

inspectors,  employees  of  the  Post  Office  Department,  nor 
officers  of  the  law,  without  legal  warrant  therefor,  have 
authority  to  open  under  any  pretext  a  sealed  letter  while 
in  the  mails,  not  even  though  it  may  contain  improper  or 
criminal  matter,  or  furnish  evidence  for  the  conviction 
of  offenders. 

2.  The  seal  of  letters  or  packages  suspected  to  contain 
unmailable  matter  shall  not  be  broken  to  ascertain  that 
fact. 

3.  Postal  cards,  post  cards,  and  circulars  unsealed  and 
all  other  unsealed  matter  may,  when  susi>ected  to  contain 
unmailable  matter,  be  examined  for  the  purpose  of  ascer- 
taining their  character. 

4.  No  person  employed  in  the  Postal  Service  shall 
place  or  carry  in  his  pockets  or  other  part  of  his  clothing 
any  mail  which  is  in  the  custody  of  the  Postal  Service. 

Sec.  523.  Information  not  to  be  given. — Postmasters  and 
others  in  the  Postal  Service  shall  not  give  to  unauthorized 
persons  information  concerning  mail  matter.  They  shall 
furnish  such  infonnation  to  post-office  inspectors,  and  may 
furnish  it  also  to  the  addressee  of  mail  matter  or  his  agent, 
and,  in  the  case  of  registered  mail,  to  the  sender  or  his 
agent,  and  they  may  give  to  officers  of  the  law  to  aid  in  the 
apprehension  of  fugitives  from  justice  information  regarding 
the  addresses,  return  cards,  or  postmarks  on  mail  matter, 
but  must  not  withhold  such  mail  from  delivery  to  the 
addressees.  Information  concerning  money  orders  shall  not 
be  given  to  any  person  except  the  remitter  or  payee  or  the 
agent  of  either  or  to  a  representative  of  the  Post  Office 
Department,  or  under  special  instructions  from  the  de- 
partment. 


76  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

Postmasters  are  not  authorized  to  furnish  information 
as  to  the  number  of  routes  at  their  offices,  and  the  number 
of  boxes  served  by  each  carrier,  and  will  therefore  see  that 
such  information  is  not  furnished  to  persons  who  are  not 
connected  with  the  Postal  Service. 

*  *  *  H:  * 

Sec.  536.  Mailing  of  fourth-class  matter. — *  *  *  10. 
Parcels  of  books,  seeds,  and  plants,  weighing  more  than 
8  ounces,  and  parcels  of  other  fourth-class  matter  weighing 
more  than  4  ounces,  must  be  mailed  at  a  post  office,  branch 
post  office,  named,  nimibered,  or  lettered  station,  or  deliv- 
ered to  a  rural  or  other  carrier  duly  authorized  to  receive 
such  matter.  Smaller  parcels  may  be  deposited  in  mail 
boxes. 

(a)  Parcels  collected  on  star  routes  shall  be  deposited 
in  the  next  post  office  at  which  the  carrier  arrives  and 
postage  charged  at  the  rate  from  that  office. 

Sec.  537.  TJsing:,  etc.,  canceled  stamps.— Whoever  shall  use  or  at 
tempt  to  use  in  pajnnent  of  postage,  any  canceled  postage  stamp,  whether 
the  same  has  been  used  or  not;  or  shall  remove,  attempt  to  remove,  or 
assist  in  removing,  the  canceling  or  defacing  marks  from  any  postage 
stamp,  or  the  superscription  from  any  stamped  envelope,  or  postal  card, 
that  has  once  been  used  in  payment  of  postage,  with  the  intent  to  use 
the  same  for  a  like  purpose,  or  to  sell  or  offer  to  sell  the  same,  or  shall 
knowingly  have  in  possession  any  such  postage  stamp,stamped  envelope, 
or  postal  card,  with  intent  to  use  the  same,  or  shall  knowingly  sell  or 
ofler  to  sell  any  such  postage  stamp,  stamped  envelope,  or  postal  card, 
or  use  or  attempt  to  use  the  same  in  payment  of  postage;  or  whoever 
unlawfully  and  willfully  shall  remove  from  any  mail  matter  any  stamp 
attached  thereto  in  payment  of  postage;  or  shall  knowingly  use  or  cause 
to  be  used  in  pajmient  of  postage,  any  postage  stamp,  postal  card,  or 
stamped  envelope,  issued  in  pursuance  of  law,  which  has  already  been 
used  for  a  like  purpose;  shall,  if  he  bo  a  person  employed  in  the  postal 
aervice,  be  fined  not  more  than  five  hundred  dollars,  or  imprisoned  not 


RUEAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  77 

more  than  three  years,  or  both;  and  if  he  be  a  person  not  employed  in  the 
postal  service,  shall  be  fined  not  more  than  five  hundred  dollars,  or  im- 
prisoned not  more  than  one  year,  or  both. 

Sec.  562.  Withdrawal  of  mail  by  sender  before  dis- 
patch.— After  mail  matter  has  been  deposited  in  a  post 
office  it  shall  not  be  withdrawn  except  by  the  sender,  or, 
in  case  of  a  minor  child,  by  the  parent  or  guardian  duly 
authorized  to  control  the  correspondence  of  the  writer. 

2.  When  request  is  made  for  the  withdrawal  of  any 
mail  matter,  the  postmaster  shall  ascertain  whether  the 
person  making  the  request  is  entitled  to  such  matter. 
The  applicant  should  be  required,  if  necessary,  to  exhibit 
a  written  address  in  the  same  hand  as  that  upon  the  matter 
sought  to  be  withdrawn,  and  such  description  of  the  matter, 
or  other  evidence,  as  will  identify  the  same  and  satisfy  the 
postmaster  that  the  applicant  is  entitled  to  withdraw  it. 

3.  When  matter  withdrawn  from  the  mails  before  dis- 
patch is  again  presented  for  mailing,  the  stamps  originally 
affixed  thereto  shall  be  accepted  in  payment  of  postage  to 
the  amount  of  their  face  value. 

Sec.  553.  Recall  of  matter  after  dispatch. — When  the 
sender  of  any  article  of  mail  matter  desires  its  return  after 
it  has  been  dispatched  from  the  mailing  office  application 
shall  be  made  to  the  postmaster  at  the  office  of  mailing, 
stating  the  reasons  for  such  request.  The  matter  shall  be 
identified,  the  application  accompanied  by  proper  proof 
in  writing,  and  a  sum  deposited  with  the  postmaster  suffi- 
cient to  cover  all  expenses  incurred . 

*  *  *  -^  * 

Sec.  569.  Locked  pouches  on  star  routes.—*  *  * 
2.  All  mail  matter  of  the  first  class  carried  on  star  routes 


78  POSTAL   LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

shall  be  inclosed  in  locked  pouches;  other  mail  matter 
shall  also  be  included  in  the  locked  pouches,  unless  the 
quantity  or  bulk  is  so  great  as  to  warrant  its  being  carried 
outside  of  bags  or  make  the  use  of  tie  sacks  for  it  ad- 
vantageous. 

Sec.  595.  Forwarding  of  aail  matter.— Prepaid  letters  shall  be  for- 
warded from  one  post  office  to  another  at  the  request  of  the  party 
addressed,  without  additional  charge  for  postage. 

2.  (a)  Mail  which  can  be  forwarded  without  additional 
charge  for  postage  includes  letters  prepaid  at  one  full  rate 
(2  cents),  parcels  fully  prepaid  at  the  first-class  rate,  postal 
cards,  post  cards,  and  official  matter. 

(6)  All  mail,  whatever  its  class,  addressed  to  persons 
in  the  United  States  ser^dce  (civil,  military,  or  naval), 
serving  in  the  United  States  or  any  of  its  possessions,  or 
en  route  to  or  from  the  United  States  or  any  of  its  posses- 
sions, whose  change  of  address  is  caused  by  official  orders, 
shall  be  transmitted  as  rapidly  as  possible  until  it  reaches 
the  addressee;  the  actual  location  of  the  addressee  for  the 
time  being  shall  be  considered  as  the  original  destination 
of  the  piece  of  mail  matter.  Such  transmission  shall  not 
be  considered  as  "forwarding"'  in  the  sense  in  which  that 
word  is  used  in  the  postal  sendee,  and  no  additional 
postage  shall  be  required  therefor.  To  insure  prompt 
delivery  mail  matter  sent  to  persons  in  the  United  States 
service  should  include  in  the  address  the  complete  desig- 
nation of  the  organization,  company,  and  regiment,  vessel, 
or  other  branch  of  the  service  to  which  the  addressee 
belongs,  and  the  postage  thereon  should  be  fully  prepaid. 

Note. — A  change  of  street  number  to  secure  delivery  at  the  ofiBce  of 
address  is  not  regarded  as  "forwarding"  and  does  not  subject  matter 
to  additional  postage. 


EURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  79 

3.  Mail  of  the  third  and  fourth  classes  may  be  "re- 
mailed"  or  forwarded,  but  not  unless  the  addressee,  or 
some  one  for  him,  shall  have  prepaid  additional  postage 
thereon  at  the  same  rate  as  would  be  chargeable  if  origi- 
nally mailed  at  the  forwarding  office,  in  which  case  the 
necessary  stamps  shall  be  affixed  by  the  forwarding  post- 
master and  canceled.  Prepayment  shall  be  made  every 
time  the  matter  ia  reforwarded.  Matter  of  the  second 
class  when  "  remailed  "  or  forwarded  shall  be  charged  with 
postage  at  the  rate  of  1  cent  for  each  4  ounces  or  fraction 
thereof,  to  be  prepaid  by  stamps  affixed. 

4.  Mail  of  the  second,  third,  and  fourth  classes  addressed 
to  a  discontinued  post  office  may,  when  the  office  to  which 
such  mail  is  ordered  sent  by  the  department  is  not  con- 
venient for  the  addressees,  be  transmitted  to  such  office 
as  they  may  designate,  without  additional  charge. 

5.  Patrons  of  any  office,  who,  on  account  of  the  estab- 
lishment of  or  a  change  in  rural-delivery  sei'vice,  receive 
their  mail  from  the  rural  carrier  of  another  office,  may 
have  their  mail  of  the  second,  third,  and  fourth  classes 
sent  to  the  latter  office  for  delivery  by  the  rural  carrier 
without  a  new  prepayment  of  postage,  provided  they  first 
file  with  the  postmaster  at  the  former  office  a  written  re- 
quest to  that  effect.  This  is  not  construed  as  "forward- 
ing" witliin  the  meaning  of  the  law. 

Sec.  596.  Forwarding  requests. — Requests  to  forward 
mail  made  by  any  other  person  than  the  addressee  or  his 
lawful  agent  or  the  person  in  whose  care  the  matter  is 
addressed  shall  be  disregarded;  the  husband  of  an  ad- 
dressee will  be  presumed  her  agent  when  she  has  not 
iirected  her  mail  to  be  withheld  from  his  control. 


80  rOSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

2.  Unlimited  requests  for  the  forwarding  of  mail  to 
other  post  offices  shall  be  observed  for  a  period  of  two 
years,  unless  revoked,  except  that  such  requests  affecting 
general-delivery  mail  at  city-delivery  post  offices  shall 
expire  at  the  end  of  30  daj^^s  unless  renewed, 

3.  The  direction  may  be  changed  and  matter  refor- 

warded  upon  request  as  many  times  as  may  be  necessary 

to  reach  the  addressee. 

***** 

6.  Letters  should  not  be  forwarded  on  trial.  A  post- 
master at  whose  office  a  letter  can  not  be  delivered  may 
forward  such  letter  to  another  office  if  he  has  special  reason 
to  believe  it  can  be  delivered  therefrom. 

Sec.  601.  General  directions  for  delivery  of  ordinary  mail 
matter. — Mail  matter  should  be  delivered  to  the  person 
addressed  or  in  accordance  -vvdth  his  written  order.  When 
the  addressee  habitually  sends  for  or  receives  his  mail 
through  his  clerk,  servant,  agent,  or  some  member  of  his 
family,  and  recognizes  or  acquiesces  in  such  delivery,  no 
written  order  need  be  required . 

2.  When  a  person  requests  delivery  to  him  of  the  mail 
of  another,  claiming  that  the  addressee  has  verbally  given 
him  authority  to  receive  it,  the  postmaster,  if  he  doubts 
the  authority,  may  require  it  to  be  in  vrriting,  signed  and 
filed  in  his  office.  Ordinary  letters  bearing  the  word 
"personal"  in  connection  with  the  address  should  be 
delivered  as  other  mail  for  the  addressee  is  delivered. 

3.  A  letter  addressed  to  a  person  imprisoned  to  await 
trial,  upon  indictment,  or  pending  indictment,  should  be 
delivered  in  accordance  with  the  order  of  the  person  ad- 
dressed.    In  the  absence  of  an  order,  the  mail  may  be 


BUBAL    MAIL   SEBVICE.  81 

delivered  to  the  sheriff  or  officer  haA^ing  charge  of  the 
prisoner. 

4.  When  a  postmaster  is  in  doubt  as  to  the  identity  of 
the  addressee  he  may  require  proof,  and  should  exercise 
great  care,  especially  where  mail  matter  appears  to  be  o^ 
value,  to  make  proper  delivery. 

5.  Where  two  or  more  persons  of  the  same  name  receive 
mail  at  the  same  office  the  postmaster  should  advise  them 
to  adopt  some  address  or  means  by  which  their  mail  may 
be  distinguished.  Postmasters  may  deliver  such  matter 
according  to  their  best  judgment,  and  should  not  return  it 
to  the  mailing  office  for  better  description  of  the  addressee 
until,  after  inquiry,  they  are  unable  to  determine  to  whom 
it  should  be  delivered. 

6.  Mail  matter  addressed  to  a  person  in  care  of  another 
should  be  delivered  to  the  addressee,  if  he  so  direct,  and 
not  to  the  person  to  whose  care  it  is  addressed.  In  the 
absence  of  such  direction,  it  should  be  delivered  to  the 
first  of  the  two  persons  who  may  call  for  it.     (See  sec.  602.) 

7.  Mail  matter  addressed  to  several  persons  may  be 
delivered  to  any  one  of  them. 

8.  Mail  matter  addressed  to  a  public  official  or  to  an 
officer  of  a  corporation  by  his  official  title  should  be  de- 
livered to  the  person  actually  holding  the  office  designated 
in  the  address. 

9.  Neither  husband  nor  wife  can  control  the  delivery 
of  matter  addressed  to  the  other.  When  so  instructed,  a 
postmaster  must  refuse  to  deliver  letters  to  the  husband 
which  are  addressed  to  the  wife,  or  those  to  the  wife  which 
are  addressed  to  the  husband.     In  the  absence  of  instruc- 

32657^—21 6 


82  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

tions  to  the  contrary,  the  wife's  letters  should  be  placed  in 
the  husband's  box  and  delivered  to  him  with  his  own  let- 
ters, unless  they  be  known  to  live  separately. 

10.  A  person  engaged  in  a  legitimate  business  may  adopt 
a  business  name,  and,  when  duly  identified,  may  receive 
his  mail,  registered  or  ordinary,  by  that  name  as  well  as  by 
his  proper  name. 

11.  Any  number  of  citizens  may  employ  an  agent  and 
give  him  a  written  order  on  the  postmaster  for  their  mail ; 
and  when  such  order  is  presented  to  the  postmaster  the 
mail  for  such  parties,  and  also  mail  addressed  to  a  person 
in  care  of  any  such  parties,  should  be  delivered  to  the  agent 
named. 

12.  Mail  matter  of  patrons  of  a  post  office  should,  at  their 
request,  be  delivered  to  a  star  or  rural  carrier  to  be  carried 
out  of  the  mail  and  handed  to  them  on  his  route  before  he 
passes  another  post  office. 

*  *  *  *      •  * 

Sec.  608.  Pension  letters.—*  *  *  Postmasters,  delivery  clerks, 
letter  carriers,  and  aU  other  postal  employees  are  prohibited  from  deliver- 
iDg  any  such  mail  to  any  person  whomsoever,  if  the  addressee  has  died 
or  removed,  or  in  the  case  of  a  widow  beUeved  by  the  pastal  employee 
entrusted  with  the  dehvery  of  such  mail  to  have  remarried;  and  the 
postmaster  in  every  such  case  shall  forthwith  return  such  mail  vn.th  a 
statement  of  the  reasons  for  so  doing,  and  if  because  of  death  or  remarriage, 
the  date  thereof,  if  known.    (Act  of  Aug.  17, 1512.) 

Note.— The  word  "mail"  as  used  in  the  act  refers  to  letters  containing 
checks  in  payment  of  pension  drawn  without  separate  vouchers  or 
receipts,  and  the  word  *•  removed"  has  reference  to  removals  bej'^ond  the 
deliver  y  of  the  post  office  to  which  the  mail  is  addressed  and  not  to  changes 
of  residence  or  address  within  the  dehvery  of  such  office.  A  temporary 
absence  is  not  a  removal  within  the  meaning  of  the  law. 

2.  Before  delivering  a  letter  the  envelope  of  which 
bears  instructions  referring  to  the  act  of  August  17,  1912 


BUBAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  83 

(a  provision  of  which  act  constitutes  paragraph  1  of  this 
regulation),  the  postal  employee  entrusted  with  the 
delivery  of  such  letter  shall  ascertain  that  the  addressee 
is  living,  has  not  removed  from  the  delivery  of  the  post 
office  addressed,  has  not  reenlisted  in  the  military  or  naval 
service  of  the  United  States,  is  not  under  guardianship, 
and,  if  a  widow,  has  not  remarried. 

3.  If  the  addressee  has  died,  reenlisted  in  the  military 
or  naval  service  of  the  United  States,  or,  if  a  widow,  re- 
married, the  latter  shall  be  indorsed  with  the  word  "De- 
ceased," "Reenlisted,"  or  "Remarried,"  and  also  the  date 
of  death,  reenlistment,  or  remarriage,  if  known.  If  the 
addressee  is  under  guardianship  or  has  removed,  the  letter 
shall  be  indorsed  to  show  the  fact  and  also  the  name  of 
the  guardian  or  the  new  post-office  address,  if  known,  and 
shall  be  returned  under  cover  of  penalty  envelope  to  the 
disbursing  clerk.  Bureau  of  Pensions,  Washington,  D.  C. 
In  no  case  shrill  the  letter  be  held  for  delivery,  except  by 
the  direction  of  the  sender,  beyond  the  period  specified 
in  the  sender's  return  request. 

4.  If  the  addressee  has  not  died,  reenlisted,  removed,  or, 
if  a  widow,  remarried,  letters  bearing  instructions  under 
the  act  of  August  17, 1912,  may  be  delivered  to  the  addressee 
or,  without  his  or  her  written  order,  to  any  member  of  his 
or  her  family  or  household,  his  or  her  clerk,  servant  or 
agent  who  has  been  in  the  habit  of  receiving  the  addressee's 
ordinary  mail  with  his  or  her  knowledge  and  consent,  or 
to  any  responsible  person  who  presents  the  addressee's 
written  order,  except  that  in  no  case  shall  such  mail  be 
delivered  to  a  claim  agent,  attorney  or  broker.  Such 
letters  must  not  be  forwarded  to  another  post  office,  nor 


84  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

placed  in  lock  or  call  boxes  in  the  post  office,  nor  delivered 
by  city  or  rural  carriers  into  receptacles  on  their  routes. 
Upon  receipt  of  such  a  letter  addressed  to  the  holder  of  a 
post-office  box,  notice  should  be  placed  in  the  addressee's 
box  requesting  him  to  call  or  send  a  proper  representative 
for  the  letter.  The  same  procedure  should  be  followed 
with  respect  to  such  a  letter  addressed  to  rural  route  boxes 
unless  the  conditions  are  such  that  delivery  at  the  ad- 
dressee's residence  is  required  by  section  776. 

5.  Letters  from  the  Bureau  of  Pensions  (including  those 
from  the  office  of  the  disbursing  clerk)  not  bearing  such 
instructions,  addressed  to  a  pensioner,  a  claimant  for 
pension  or  a  payee  of  the  pension  (in  whole  or  in  part)  of 
another  person,  may  be  delivered  to  the  addressee,  to  his 
or  her  guardian,  to  the  person  in  whose  care  they  may  be 
addressed,  if  a  responsible  person,  or  to  a  member  of 
the  addressee's  family  or  household,  or  other  person  to 
whom  other  mail  for  the  pensioner  is  delivered.  They 
may  also  be  forwarded  at  the  addressee's  request.  They 
must  not  be  delivered  to  or  placed  in  the  box  of  an  attorney^ 
claim  agent,  or  broker,  even  upon  the  addressee's  written 
or  verbal  order  or  request.  They  shall  not  be  held  for 
delivery  beyond  the  period  given  in  the  card  request; 
and  if  the  addressee  has  died,  they  should  be  immedi- 
ately returned  with  a  statement  of  that  fact  and  the  date 
of  diath,  if  known. 

Note. — A  payee  of  the  pension  of  another  person  may  be  the  wife  (not 
widow )  of  a  pensioner,  the  guardian  of  such  wife  or  of  the  pensioner,  or 
his  child  or  children. 

Sec.  609.  Mail  addressed  to  minors. — ^\Mien  minor  chil- 
dren reside  with  their  parents,  the  father  or,  if  he  be  dead, 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  85 

the  mother,  generally  is  entitled  to  direct  the  disposition 
of  mail  matter  addressed  to  such  minors  and,  unless  the 
minors  be  under  guardianship,  may  authorize  another  to 
receive  mail  matter  addressed  to  them,  although  they  be 
not  residing  with  the  parent;  and  postmasters  should 
deliver  said  matter  accordingly,  requiring  directions  in 
writing,  if  deemed  necessary. 

2.  In  the  absence  of  directions  from  a  parent  or  guardian 
or  one  authorized  to  control  the  correspondence  of  a  minor, 
mail  matter  addressed  to  such  minor  should  be  delivered 
to  him  or  her. 

3.  Mail  matter  addressed  to  a  minor  who  is  not  depend- 
ent upon  a  parent  for  maintenance  and  support,  and  does 
not  reside  with  a  parent  or  guardian  or  with  some  one  in 
whose  charge  he  may  have  been  placed,  should  be  deliv- 
ered to  the  minor,  or  in  accordance  with  his  instructions. 

4.  Mail  matter  addressed  to  a  deceased  minor  who  up 
to  the  time  of  decease  resided  with  parents  or  guardian 
may  be  delivered  to  the  parent  or  guardian;  but  if  the 
minor  left  a  husband  or  widow,  delivery  may  be  made  to 
him  or  her. 

5.  At  colleges  and  similar  institutions  where  students 
have  been  placed  in  charge  of  the  principal  by  their  par- 
ents or  guardians,  and  where  the  rules  of  the  institution 
provide  that  the  principal  shall  have  control  of  mail 
matter  addressed  to  such  students  as  are  minors,  such 
mail  should  be  delivered  in  accordance  with  the  order  of 
the  principal.  If,  howcA^er,  the  principal  has  not  au- 
thority from  the  parent  or  guardian  to  control  the  mail 
of  the  children  placed  under  his  care  (which  authority  is 
understood  by  an  acceptance  of  the  rules,  that  being  one)> 


86  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

such  mail  should  not  be  delivered  to  the  principal  against 
the  wishes  of  the  scholar. 

Sec.  610.  Mail  addressed  to  deceased  persons. — Mail 
matter  (not  pension  mail)  addressed  to  a  deceased  person 
shall  be  delivered  to  the  executor  or  administrator  of  his 
estate;  if  there  be  none,  delivery  may  be  made  to  the  sm*- 
VLving  husband  or  widow,  unless  there  be  other  claimants, 
in  which  event  the  postmaster  shall  report  the  facts,  with 
written  statements  from  the  parties,  to  the  Solicitor,  and 
await  instructions. 

2.  When  there  is  no  executor,  administrator,  surviving 
husband,  widow,  or  other  claimant,  the  mail  shall  be  sent 
to  the  Fii-st  Assistant  Postmaster  General,  Division  of 
Dead  Letters,  with  the  return  of  unclaimed  matter,  with 
a  statement  of  the  facts. 

Sec.  611.  Mail  addressed  to  partnerships  and  corpora- 
tions.— Mail  matter  addressed  to  a  firm  may  be  delivered 
to  any  member  thereof. 

2.  Mail  matter  addressed  to  a  corporation  should  be 
delivered  to  the  agent  or  officer  conducting  its  corre- 
spondence or  to  the  person  authorized  to  receive  it. 

3.  Postmasters  shall  not  decide  disputes  between  mem- 
bers of  an  existing  firm  as  to  delivery  of  its  mail.  "Where 
the  mail  has  previously  been  delivered  through  a  box  or 
general  delivery  such  delivery  should  be  continued;  if 
through  carrier  the  mail  should  be  handed  to  any  member 
of  the  firm. 

4.  Attempts  to  secure  the  mail  of  an  established  house, 
firm,  or  corporation  through  the  adoption  of  a  similar 
name  should  not  be  recognized.  When  disputes  arise 
between  individuals,  firms,  or  corporations  as  to  the  use 


EXJEAL   MAIL   SERVICE.  87 

of  a  name  or  designation,  matter  addressed  to  a  street, 
number,  or  buildirig  should  be  delivered  according  to  such 
address.  When  not  so  addressed,  the  mail  should  be  de- 
livered to  the  firm  or  corporation  which  first  adopted  the 
name  of  the  address  at  that  place. 

5.  In  all  cases  of  dispute  as  to  the  firm  or  corporation 
which  is  entitled  to  receive  mail  matter,  when  the  post- 
master is  in  doubt  as  to  his  duty  under  the  regulations, 
he  shall  obtain  written  statements  from  the  contending 
parties  as  to  the  gi'ounds  of  their  claims  and  submit  such 
statements,  with  a  full  report  of  his  o^yn,  to  the  Solicitor 
for  advice. 

Sec.  676,  Private  boxes. — Private  mail  receptacles 
should  be  used  to  facilitate  the  delivery  of  mail. 

2.  Any  letter  box  or  other  receptacle  intended  or  used 
for  the  receipt  or  delivery  of  mail  matter  on  any  city 
delivery  route,  rural  delivery  route,  star  route,  or  other 
mail  route,  is  hereby  designated  a  letter  box  for  the  receipt 
or  delivery  of  mail  matter  within  the  meaning  of  the  act 
of  March  4,  1909,  section  198. 

See  sec.  1699. 

Sec.  716.  Rural  delivery;  estabUshment  of  service.— Rural  mail  de- 
livery shall  be  extended  so  as  to  serve,  as  nearly  as  practicable,  the  entire 
rural  population  of  the  United  States. 

Hereafter  all  rural  mail  delivery  routes  shall  be  divided  into  t  vro  classes 
to  be  known  as- 
Standard  horse-dravni  vehicle  routes,  which  shall  be  twenty-four 
miles  in  length,  and 

Standard  motor- vehicle  routes,  which  shall  be  fifty  miles  in  length, 
and  shall  only  be  established  hereafter  when  a  majority  of  the  proposed 
patrons  who  are  heads  of  families  residing  upon  such  proposed  routes 
shall  by  written  petition  ask  the  Post  Office  Department  to  establish 
the  same. 


88  POSTAL  LAWS   AND   REGTTLATIONS. 

Nothing  herein  contained  shall  be  construed  to  prohibit  the  establish* 
ment  of  horse-drawn  vehicle  routes  of  less  length  than  the  standard  of 
twenty-four  miles:  Provided,  That  if,  in  the  discretion  of  the  Postmaster 
General,  in  order  to  render  more  complete  service,  it  should  be  necessary 
to  do  so  the  Postmaster  General  is  hereby  authorized  to  increase  the 
length  of  routes  not  to  exceed  fifty  per  centum  above  the  standards  hereia 
prescribed,  and  in  such  cases  the  compensation  of  the  carrier  on  such 
horse-drawn  vehicle  routes  shall  be  increased  above  the  maximum  pay 
heretofore  fixed  by  law  for  rural  carriers   *    *    *    (Act  of  July  2S,  1916.) 

2.  Petitions  for  the  establisiiment  of  Rural  Delivery 
Service  should  be  made  on  forms  furnished  for  the  purpose 
and  sent  to  the  Fom'th  Assistant  Postmaster  General, 
Di\'ision  of  Ptural  Mails. 

3.  Roads  on  which  Rural  Delivery  Service  is  established 
shall  be  in  good  condition  and  so  maintained,  unobstructed 
by  gates,  and  there  shall  be  no  unbridged  streams  not  ford- 
able  at  all  seasons  of  the  year. 

4.  The  establishment  of  a  rural  route  less  than  ten  miles 
in  length  shall  not  be  considered,  unless  at  least  six  fami- 
lies to  the  mile  are  prospective  patrons. 

5.  Persons  mthin  one  mile  of  travel  of  existing  mail 
facilities  shall  not  be  counted  as  prospective  patrons  war- 
ranting the  establishment  of  a  route,  unless  in  exceptional 
cases: 

(a)  Such  persons  can  not  be  added  to  existing  routes 
without  overburdening  such  routes,  or 

(6)  can  not  secm-e  available  locations  for  their  boxes  on 
existing  routes,  or, 

(c)  are  in  such  numbers  that  twenty  families  per  trav- 
eled mile  may  be  supplied  directly  from  the  proposed 
route. 

6.  A  route  proposed,  with  duplication  upon  existing 
rural  or  star  route  service,  shall  not  be  established,  unless 


BUBAL   MAIL   SERVICE.  89 

that  portion  which  is  not  such  duplication  will  serve  a 
sufficient  number  of  families  to  warrant,  under  these 
rules,  a  route  of  the  entire  length  proposed. 

7.  A  route  shall  not  be  established  for  the  supply  of 
mills,  factories,  or  isolated  compact  communities  in  a 
region  where  the  general  rin-al  settlement  is  sparse  and  not 
of  the  character  originally  contemplated  to  receive  the 
benefit  of  rural  delivery  service. 

8.  Authorized  service  shall  not  be  entered  upon  until 
approved  boxes  have  actually  been  erected  by  prospective 
patrons,  nor  until  all  requirements  have  been  met  and  the 
entire  route  (roads,  bridges,  gates,  etc.)  is  in  suitable  con- 
dition for  the  performance  of  continuous  service,  which 
facts  shall  be  certified  by  the  postmaster. 

9.  The  frequency  of  service  on  a  newly  established  route 
shall  not  exceed  three  times  a  week,  imless  such  route  is 
formed  wholly,  or  in  greater  part,  by  rearrangement  of 
six- times-a- week  service. 

10.  A  route  with  service  of  ihiee  times  a  week  shall  not 
be  increased  in  frequency  until  for  a  period  of  six  months 
it  has  been  regularly  supphdng  permanent  patrons  in  the 
ratio  of  four  families,  and  collecting  and  delivering  150 
pieces  of  mail  per  month  to  the  mile. 

11.  Routes  on  which  for  six  consecutive  months  the 
quantity  of  mail  collected  and  delivered  has  averaged  less 
than  seventy-five  pieces  per  month  per  mile  shall  not  be 
continued,  unless  such  routes  can  be  rearranged  to  secure 
patronage  coming  within  these  rules. 

See  sec.  824,  as  to  patrons'  boxes. 

Sec.  716|.  Extension  of  service. — ^An  extension  (with- 
out retrace)  of  a  rural  route  shall  not  be  authorized,  unless 


90  POSTAL   LAWS   AND   REGULATIONS. 

patrons  more  than  one  mile  of  travel  from  existing  facili- 
ties can  be  added  in  the  ratio  of  four  families  for  each  mile 
of  additional  travel  involved.  Exceptional  conditions 
stated  in  paragraph  5,  section  716,  may  be  recognized  as 
modifying  this  rule. 

2.  An  extension  involving  a  retrace  shall  not  be  made, 
unless  patrons  more  than  one  mile  of  travel  from  existing 
facilities  can  be  added  in  the  ratio  of  six  families  for  each 
mile  of  additional  travel  involved,  except  that  accommo- 
dation retrace  extensions  may  be  made  where  twelve  fami- 
lies for  each  mile  of  travel  involved  can  be  materially 
benefited  as  to  accessibility  and  convenience. 

3.  The  fact  that  an  extension,  retrace,  or  change  on  a 
route  may  be  made  without  additional  cost  shall  not  of 
itself  constitute  reason  for  such  action. 

4.  Wherever  it  is  found  that  routes  operate  in  proximity 
of  a  mile  of  other  rural  routes  or  star  routes  or  post  offices, 
action  shall  be  taken  toward,  so  far  as  possible,  rearrange- 
ment which  shall  have  for  its  purpose  (1)  removal  of  serv- 
ice from  proximity  and  adaptation  of  same  to  extension  to 
new  patrons,  without  additional  cost;  (2)  curtailment 
and  shortening  of  routes  to  save  cost. 

Sec.  717.  Delivery  limits. — All  persons  except  those 
who  reside  within  the  city-delivery  limits  of  a  city  where 
city-delivery  service  is  in  operation,  may  be  served  by 
rural  carriers,  provided  they  will  erect  approved  boxes 
on  the  established  line  of  the  route  in  the  manner  re- 
quired by  the  department. 

Sec.  718.  Appointments,  transfers,  etc. —  *  *  * 
2.  Rural  carriers  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Postmaster 
General  upon  certification  by  the  Civil  Service  Commis- 
sion from  registers  of  eligibles  resulting  from  examination. 


RURAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  91 

3.  Inquiries  relative  to  the  examinations  for  the  posi- 
tion of  rural  carrier  should  be  addressed  to  the  United 
States  Civil  Service  Commission,  Washington,  D.  C. 

4.  Carriers  shall  not  be  transferred  from  one  route  to 
another  without  specific  authority  from  the  department. 

5.  A  rural  carrier  desiring  transfer  from  one  route  to 
another  shall  make  application  therefor  to  the  postmaster, 
stating  his  reasons  for  desiring  the  transfer  and  his  willing- 
ness to  accept  the  salary  prescribed  for  the  route  to  which 
he  desires  assignment.  The  postmaster  shall  transmit  the 
application  with  his  recommendation  to  the  Fourth  Assist- 
ant Postmaster  General,  Division  of  Kural  Mails.  Trans- 
fers will  not  be  made  for  trivial  reasons. 

Sec.  719.  Besignations. — ^The  resignation  of  a  rural  car- 
rier or  substitute  shall  be  made  in  writing  and  forwarded 
through  the  postmaster  to  the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster 
General,  Division  of  Rural  Mails.  In  transmitting  the 
resignation  of  a  substitute  carrier,  the  postmaster  will  fur- 
nish the  name  of  some  suitable  person  agreed  upon  by  him- 
self and  the  regular  carrier  for  appointment  to  fill  the 
vacancy. 

2.  A  rural  carrier  who  has  tendered  his  resignation  is 
required  under  his  bond  to  see  that  service  on  the  route 
is  performed  until  his  successor  shall  have  been  appointed 
and  qualified. 

3.  If  deemed  advisable  by  the  postmaster,  a  substitute 
may  be  assigned  to  two  or  three  routes,  but  not  more. 

4.  When  a  substitute  is  no  longer  available  for  service, 
the  postmaster  shall  promptly  report  that  fact  to  the 
department. 

Sec.  720.  Position  not  transferable  or  salable. — A  rural 
carrier  has  no  right  or  advantage  in  his  position  which  is 


92  POSTAL   LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

transferable  or  salable.  An  offer  to  resign  for  a  considera- 
tion subjects  a  carrier  to  removal  and  an  applicant  who 
offers  a  consideration  is  barred  from  appointment.  (See 
sec.  1692.) 

Sec.  721.  Pay  of  substitute  carriers.— Under  such  regulations  as  the 
Postmaster  General  may  prescribe,  a  substitute  carrier  may  be  employed 
at  the  expense  of  the  regular  carrier  to  temporarily  perform  service  on  any 
rural-delivery  mail  route. 

2.  Postmasters  shall  make  prompt  report  to  the  depart- 
ment of  the  occurrence  of  a  vacancy  in  the  position  of 
rural  carrier,  stating  the  date  on  which  the  carrier  last 
served  the  route,  the  name  of  the  substitute  performing 
service,  and  what  arrangement  has  been  made  for  the  con- 
tinuance of  service. 

Sec.  722.  Official  oath. — Every  rural  carrier,  temporary 
carrier,  substitute  carrier,  and  temporary  substitute  car- 
rier shall,  before  beginning  service,  take  the  official  oath 
prescribed  in  section  153,  and  no  person  who  has  not  taken 
the  prescribed  oath  shall  be  given  custody  of  the  mails. 

Sec.  723.  Bond  required. — Each  rural  carrier  and  sub- 
stitute carrier  shall,  upon  being  appointed,  execute  a  bond 
in  the  sum  of  |500  with  acceptable  sureties,  the  bond  to  be 
forwarded  to  the  department  when  executed. 

2.  Bonds  to  be  acceptable  must  be  signed  by  two  per- 
sonal sureties,  each  of  whom  is  worth  the  sum  of  $500  m 
property  over  and  above  his  debts  and  personal  liabilities, 
or  by  an  indemnity  company  that  is  authorized  to  qualify 
as  sole  surety  on  an  official  bond. 

Note.— For  a  list  of  such  companies  see  Official  Postal  Guide. 

3.  When  a  person  who  has  qualified  as  surety  on  a  bond 
of  a  rural  carrier  dies,  removes  from  the  locality  of  the  route 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE,  93 

or  becomes  insolvent,  the  postmaster  shall  at  once  notify 
the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster  General,  Division  of 
Rural  Mails. 

Sec.  724.  New  bonds. — The  execution  of  new  bonds  for 
regular  substitute  or  temporary  rural  carriers  may  be  re- 
quired by  the  Postmaster  General  whenever  it  is  deemed 
necessary  or  expedient. 

Sec.  725.  Carriers'  salaries.— On  and  after  July  1,  1920,  the  compen- 
sation of  each  rural  carrier  for  serving  a  rural  route  of  twenty-four  miles, 
six  days  in  the  week,  shall  be  $1,800;  on  routes  twenty-two  miles  and  less 
than  twenty-four  miles,  SI, 728;  on  routes  twenty  miles  and  less  than 
twenty-two  miles,  $1,620;  on  routes  eighteen  miles  and  less  than  twenty 
miles,  $1,440;  on  routes  sixteen  miles  and  less  than  eighteen  miles,  Sl,260; 
on  routes  fourteen  miles  and  less  than  sixteen  miles,  $1,080;  on  routes 
twelve  miles  and  less  than  fourteen  miles,  $1,008;  on  routes  ten  miles  and 
less  than  twelve  miles,  $936;  on  routes  eight  miles  and  less  than  ten 
miles,  $864;  onroutessixmilesandless  than  eight  miles,  $792;  on  routes 
four  miles  and  less  than  six  miles,  S720.  A  rural  letter  carrier  serving  one 
tri-weekly  route  shall  be  pa: '.  on  the  basis  for  a  route  one-half  the  length 
of  the  route  served  by  him,  and  a  carrier  serving  two  tri-weekly  routes 
shall  be  paid  on  the  basis  for  a  route  one-half  of  the  combined  length  of 
the  two  routes.  Each  rural  carrier  assigned  to  a  horse-drawn  vehicle 
route  on  which  daily  service  is  performed  shaU  receive  $30  per  mile  per 
annum  for  each  mile  said  route  is  in  excess  of  twenty-four  miles  or  major 
fraction  thereof,  based  on  actual  mileage,  and  each  rural  carrier  assigned 
to  a  horse-dra%v'n  vehicle  routa  on  which  tri-weekly  service  is  performed 
shall  receive  $15  per  mile  for  each  mile  said  route  is  in  excess  of  twenty- 
four  miles  or  major  fraction  thereof,  based  on  actual  mileage.  That  the 
pay  of  a  carrier  who  furnishes  and  maintains  his  own  motor  vehicle 
and  serves  a  route  not  less  than  fifty  miles  in  length  be  at  not  exceeding 
$2,600  per  annum.    (Act  of  June  5, 1920.) 

2.  The  Postmaster  General  may,  in  his  discretion,  allow  and  pay  addi- 
tional compensation  to  rural  letter  carriers  who  are  required  to  carry 
pouch  mail  to  intermediate  post  offices,  or  for  intersecting  loop  routes, 
in  all  cases  where  it  appears  that  the  carriage  of  such  pouches  increases 
the  expense  of  the  equipment  required  by  the  carrier  or  materially  in- 


94  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   REGXn:.ATIONS. 

creases  the  amount  of  labor  performed  by  him,  such  compensation  not  to 
exceed  the  sum  of  S12  per  annum  for  each  mile  such  carrier  is  reqmred 
to  carry  such  pouch  or  pouches.    (Act  of  July  28, 1916.) 

3.  Hereafter  the  pay  of  rural  carriers  and  substitute  rural  carriers, 
which  depends  upon  the  length  of  the  route,  shall  be  determined  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  records  of  the  Post  Office  Department,  which  records 
shall  be  promptly  corrected  whenever  the  Postmaster  General  deter- 
mines that  such  records  are  not  correct.    (Act  of  Apr.  24, 1920.) 

4.  All  claims  for  additional  compensation  on  account  of 
increase  in  the  expense  of  equipment  required,  or  of  any- 
material  increase  in  the  amount  of  labor  performed  because 
of  the  carriage  of  pouch  mail,  will  receive  individual  con- 
sideration when  submitted  to  the  Fourth  Assistant  Post- 
master General,  Division  of  Rural  Mails,  with  a  full  state- 
ment of  the  facts.  The  statement  shall  be  submitted  to 
the  department  through  the  postmaster,  who  shall  make 
such  comment  or  recommendation  thereon  as  he  may- 
deem  proper. 

5.  Rural  carriers  shall  be  paid  semimonthly  at  the  rates 
fixed  by  law,  through  certain  designated  post  offices,  upon 
presentation  by  postmasters  at  rural  delivery  offices  of 
properly  executed  vouchers. 

6.  Regularly  appointed  temporary  carriers  shall  be  paid 
for  service  at  the  same  rates  of  pay  as  regular  carriers. 

Sec.  726.  Pay  of  substitute  carriers.—  *  *  *  Substitutes  for 
rural  carriers  on  vacation  to  be  paid  during  said  service  at  the  rate  paid 
the  carrier. 

2.  A  substitute  rural  carrier  who  performs  service  diu-ing 
the  leave  of  absence,  without  pay,  of  a  regular  carrier  shall 
be  paid  by  the  regular  carrier  at  the  per  diem  rate  of  pay 
for  the  number  of  days  on  which  the  substitute  serves. 
If,  during  the  carrier's  absence  without  pay,  it  is  necessary 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  95 

for  the  substitute  to  report  at  the  office  on  Sundays  or  holi- 
days in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  section  774  the 
substitute  shall  be  paid  for  those  days.  If  the  substitute 
performs  service  for  an  entire  month  he  shall  be  paid  the 
full  salary  for  that  month. 

3.  Substitutes  who  perform  service  for  regular  carriers 
absent  with  pay  shall  be  paid  at  the  per  diem  rate  paid  the 
carrier  for  each  day's  service  exclusi\^e  of  Sundays  and 
authorized  holidays,  and  shall  sign  A'oucher  Form. 

4.  Temporary  substitute  carriers  shall  be  paid  at  the 
same  rates  and  in  the  same  manner  as  substitu'te  carriers. 

Sec.  727.  Carriers'  voucliers. — Regular  and  temporary 
rural  carriers  shall  sign  the  semimonthly  voucher  (Form 
4251)  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  each  month  and  on  the  last 
day  of  the  first  two  months  of  the  quarter,  and  the  quar- 
terly voucher  in  duplicate  (Form  4252)  on  the  last  day  of 
:he  third  month  of  each  quarter  for  all  sendee  rendered 
and  pay  due  them  during  the  quarter.  Substitute  carriers 
who  serve  routes  during  the  absence  of  regular  carriers  on 
annual  leave  shall  sign  voucher  Form  4253,  while  voucher 
Form  4253-B  shall  be  signed  by  substitute  carriers  who 
serve  routes  while  regular  carriers  are  on  sick  leave,  un- 
der the  provisions  of  section  730. 

2.  Postmasters  at  certifying  offices  shall  see  that  the 
amount  due  a  rural  carrier  or  a  substitute  rural  earner  for 
service  rendered  each  month  or  portions  of  a  month  is  cor- 
rectly entered  on  the  voucher  and  that  the  carrier's  signa- 
ture thereto  agrees  with  that  in  the  appointment  notice  on 
file  in  the  post  office. 

3.  Postmasters  at  certifying  offices  shall  keep  strict 
account  of  the  number  of  working  days  on  which  the  car- 


96  POSTAL   LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

riers  wholly  fail  to  perform  service  and  make  note  thereof 
in  the  proper  spaces  in  the  vouchers,  and  for  each  day's 
total  failure  of  service  a  deduction  of  one  day's  pay  should 
be  made,  including  suspension  of  service  on  any  holiday 
not  designated  in  section  735. 

4.  A  deduction  of  one  day's  pay  shall  also  be  made  from 
the  salary  of  a  rural  carrier  for  each  Sunday  and  designated 
legal  holiday  on  which  he  shall  fail  to  report  at  the  office 
when  directed  to  do  so  by  the  postmaster  in  accordance 
with  the  provisions  of  section  774. 

Sec.  727^.  Deductions  for  failure  to  perform  service. — Deductions 
for  failure  to  perform  service  on  a  standard  rural  delivery  route  for 
twenty-four  miles  and  less  shall  not  exceed  the  rate  of  pay  per  mile  fcr 
service  for  twenty-four  miles  and  less;  and  deductions  for  failure  to  per- 
form service  on  mileage  in  excess  of  twenty-four  miles  shall  not  exceed 
the  rate  of  compensation  allowed  for  such  excess  mileage.  (Act  of  Jime 
5, 1920.) 

2.  If  a  rural  carrier  shall  fail  to  serve  any  part  of  his 
route  and  such  failure  is  due  to  lack  of  proper  endeavor, 
proper  equipment,  or  to  any  reason  personal  to  the  carrier, 
deduction  shall  be  made  from  his  salary  for  such  partial 
failure  at  the  rate  of  pay  per  mile  for  sendee  on  routes  of 
twenty-four  miles  and  less;  and  for  failure  to  perform  ser- 
vice on  that  part  of  a  route  in  excess  of  twenty-four  miles, 
deduction  shall  be  made  at  the  rate  of  pay  for  such 
additional  mileage. 

Sec.  728.  Temporary  carriers. — Temporary  rural  carriers 
shall  execute  vouchers  on  the  same  form  and  in  the  same 
manner  as  regular  caiTiers. 

Sec.  729.  Vouchers  for  substitute  carriers. — Substitutes 
for  rural  carriers  who  shall  perform  service  during  the  ab- 
sence of  regular  carriers  on  leave  with  pay  shall  execute 


EURAL    MAIL    SEBVICE,  97 

vouchers  in  duplicate  (Form  4253),  signing  their  names  ex- 
exactly  as  subscribed  to  their  bonds,  and  the  postmaster 
at  the  certifying  office  shall  attach  his  certificate  that  the 
service  was  duly  performed  by  the  person  signing  the 
voucher. 

2.  In  case  of  the  death  of  a  rural  earner  the  salary  due 
him  for  service  shall  be  paid  to  the  person  who  shall  qualify 
under  the  rules  of  the  department  to  receive  and  receipt 
therefor.  Information  on  this  subject  will  be  furnished 
on  application  to  the  disbursing  postmaster. 

Sec.  730.  Leaves  of  absence  with  pay.— Employees  in  the  Postal 
Service  shall  be  granted  fifteen  days'  leave  of  absence  with  pay,  exclusive 
of  Sundays  and  holidays,  each  fiscal  year,  and  sick  leave  with  pay  at  the 
rate  of  ten  days  a  year,  to  be  cumulative  for  a  period  of  three  years,  but 
no  sick  leave  with  pay  in  excess  of  thirty  days  shall  be  granted  during  any 
three  consecutive  years.  Sick  leave  shall  be  granted  onJy  upon  satis- 
factory evidence  of  illness,  and  if  more  than  two  days  the  application 
therefor  shall  bo  aecompanied  by  a  physician's  certificate. 

The  fifteen  days'  leave  shall  be  credited  at  the  rate  of  one  and  one- 
quarter  days  for  each  month  of  actual  service.    (Act  of  June  5,  1920.) 

2.  Until  a  rural  carrier  has  been  in  the  service  for  12 
months  he  may  not  take  15  days'  annual  leave  at  one 
time,  but  only  1^  days  for  each  month  of  actual  serv- 
ice since  the  date  of  his  appointment  as  regular  carrier. 
Postmasters  should  endeavor  to  have  carriers  take 
their  annual  leave  when  most  convenient  and  when 
bonded  substitutes  are  available.  Leave  for  a  fractional 
part  of  a  day  shall  not  be  granted. 

In  connection  with  the  granting  of  sick  leave  with  pay 

to  the  employees  of  the  Postal   Service,  in   accordance 

with  the  reclassification  act  of  June  5,  1920,  postmasters 

and  other  officials  are  directed  to  accept  certificates  of 

32657° — 21 7 


98  POSTAL  LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

illness  only  from  practitioners  regularly  licensed  or 
legally  practicing  in  the  State  or  district  where  such  cer- 
tificate is  issued. 

3.  Annual  leave  of  absence  accruing  to  a  rural  carrier 
during  one  fiscal  year  shall  not  be  allowed  or  taken  during 
a  subsequent  fiscal  year. 

4.  A  rural  carrier  serving  as  a  witness  for  the  Government 
in  a  United  States  court,  or  sendng  as  a  member  of  a  civil- 
service  examining  board,  will  be  allowed  leave  with  pay 
during  the  period  of  such  ser^dce  in  addition  to  the  annual 
leave  to  which  he  is  otherwise  entitled,  but  in  every 
such  case  immediate  report  shall  be  made  to  the  depart- 
ment, with  dates  and  the  name  of  the  temporary  carrier 
who  served  the  route. 

Sec.  731.  Bonded  substitute  to  be  employed. — ^When  a 
rural  carrier  is  absent,  his  place  shall  be  filled,  if  possible, 
by  a  bonded  substitute.  A  regular  carrier  on  leave  with 
pay  shall  not  be  employed  as  substitute  for  another  carrier 
who  is  on  leave  of  absence. 

Sec.  732.  Vouchers  for  substitutes. — ^When  a  rural  car- 
rier takes  his  15  days'  leave  with  pay  in  one  period,  a 
voucher  in  favor  of  the  substitute  employed  in  his  absence 
shall  be  forwarded  to  the  paying  postmaster  immediately  at 
the  expiration  of  the  leave  period.  If  the  carrier  takes 
annual  leave  at  several  times  during  the  fiscal  year  a 
voucher  may  be  submitted  in  favor  of  the  substitute  at  the 
end  of  each  period  of  leave,  except  where  leave  is  taken  at 
different  times  during  the  same  month  and  the  route  is 
served  by  the  same  substitute,  when  only  one  voucher 
shall  be  prepared  for  the  vacation  service  in  that  month. 
If  more  than  one  substitute  is  employed  during  the  leave 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  99 

period  of  a  carrier,  a  separate  voucher  shall  be  certified 
to  cover  the  service  rendered  by  each  substitute. 

Sec.  733.  Leave  without  pay. — Postmasters  may,  in 
addition  to  the  leave  of  absence  with  pay  provided  by  law, 
grant  leave  of  absence  without  pay  to  rural  carriers,  such 
leave  not  to  exceed  30  days  in  any  one  fiscal  year.  Appli- 
cations for  leave  of  absence  to  cover  a  longer  period  in 
cases  of  illness,  or  disability  received  in  the  service,  must 
be  submitted  by  the  postmaster  to  the  Fourth  Assistant 
Postmaster  General  with  a  full  statement  of  the  facts,  but 
leave  of  absence  for  more  than  one  year  will  not  be  granted 
in  any  such  case.  Rural  carriers  who  desire  to  be  absent 
for  longer  periods  will  be  dropped  from  the  rolls  without 
prejudice. 

2.  Application  for  leave  without  pay  on  accoimt  of  sick- 
ness shall  be  accompanied,  if  possible,  with  a  statement 
from  the  attending  physician  certifjing  as  to  the  nature 
of  the  carrier's  illness  and  its  probable  duration. 

3.  When  a  carrier  is  absent  from  duty  on  account  of  an 
injury  sustained  while  on  duty,  the  first  date  of  absence, 
and  the  name  of  the  temporary  carrier  employed  should 
be  reported  promptly  to  the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster 
General.  A  report  of  the  injury  should  be  made  to  the 
United  States  Employees'  Compensation  Commission, 
Washington,  D.  C.,upon  a  form  which  should  be  ob- 
tained from  the  nearest  post  office  of  the  first  class. 

Sec.  734.  Absence  without  permission. — ^Absence  of  a 
rural  carrier  \vithout  the  permission  of  the  postmaster  sub- 
jects him,  in  addition  to  forfeiture  of  his  pay  for  the  period 
of  such  absence,  to  reprimand,  suspension  without  pay. 


loo  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

or  removal  from  the  service,  as  tlie  circumstances  may- 
warrant. 

Sec.  735.  Holidays. — Service  shall  not  be  required  on 
rural-delivery  routes  on  New  Year's  Day,  Washington's 
Birthday,  Memorial  or  Decoration  Day  (May  30),  Fourth  of 
July,  Labor  Day  (the  first  Monday  in  September),  or  on 
such  day  as  the  President  may  set  apart  as  Thanksgiving 
Day.     Service  is  required  on  Christmas  Day. 

2.  When  a  holiday  on  which  service  is  not  required  falls 
on  Sunday,  the  following  Monday  shall  be  observed  unless 
otherwise  specially  provided. 

Postmasters  are  without  authority  to  grant  holidays  tc 
rural  carriers,  except  as  above  set  forth,  and  a  carrier  who 
absents  himself  from  duty  without  permission  on  any  other 
day  which  may  be  a  State  or  local  holiday,  will  lose  a  day's 
pay,  and  is  subject  to  severe  disciplinary  action. 

Many  telegraphic  inquiries  are  received  from  postmas- 
ters whether  service  may  be  suspended  on  certain  State 
holidays  and  days  of  local  celebration  and  because  cf 
death  of  persons  connected  with  the  local  post  office.  Sus- 
pension of  service  on  such  occasions  will  not  be  authorized, 
although,  if  deemed  advisable  by  the  postmaster,  he  may 
authorize  the  rural  carriers  to  vary  their  schedules  so  as 
to  enable  them  to  participate  in  the  exercises  or  ceremonies 
involved,  provided  the  patrons  of  the  routes  are  duly  noti- 
fied that  such  action  is  to  be  taken. 

Sec.  736.  Carriers  subordinate  to  postmasters. — Pvural 
carriers  are  subordinate  to  the  postmasters  at  the  offices  to 
which  they  are  attached  and  shall  comply  with  their  in- 
structions and  obey  their  orders,  subject  to  directions  from 
the  department. 


RUEAD   MAJ'S,   f^ERVlCfe.  -101 

Sec.  737.  Neatness  and  courtesy  required. — Rural  car- 
riers while  on  duty  shall  present  a  neat  appearance,  and  be 
courteous  to  patrons. 

Sec.  738.  Exemplary  conduct  required. — Rural  carriers 
shall  not  use  intoxicants  while  in  charge  of  the  mail,  shall 
not  drink  to  excess  at  any  time,  and  shall  refrain  from  im- 
proper conduct  of  any  character  under  penalty  of  appro- 
priate punishment,  or,  in  repeated  instances,  of  separation 
from  the  service. 

Sec.  739.  Delinquencies. — Postmasters  shall  make 
prompt  report  to  the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster  General, 
Division  of  Rural  Mails,  of  any  dereliction  on  the  part  of 
carrier,  such  as  dishonesty,  immorality,  intoxication,  any 
irregularity  in  the  transaction  of  money-order  or  registry 
business,  continued  failure,  'wdthout  excuse,  to  serve  their 
routes  completel}'',  unsatisfactory  service,  persistent  insub- 
ordination and  disregard  of  postmaster's  orders,  or  other 
conduct  detrimental  to  the  best  interests  of  the  service, 
and  await  specific  instructions  before  taking  other  action, 
in  the  matter. 

Sec.  740.  Duties  as  citizens. — Rural  carriers  and  clerks 
in  charge  of  rural  stations  are  not,  by  reason  of  their 
official  character,  entitled  to  any  special  privileges,  nor  are 
they  exempt  from  performing  jury  or  road  duty,  or  from 
any  other  obligations  imposed  by  the  laws  of  any  State, 
county,  or  municipality  upon  its  citizens,  but  are  exempt 
from  militia  duty  without  regard  to  their  ages. 

Sec.  741.  Holding  other  positions. — A  rural  carrier 
shall  not  hold  any  State,  county,  municipal,  or  township 
office,  whether  appointive  or  elective,  regardless  of  the  fact 
that  no  compensation  may  attach  to  the  position,  nor  enter 


102  PCST..L    '.A\\^    >ND    REGULATIONS. 

a  primary  or  general  election  with  a  view  to  securing  a 
political  oflSce. 

Sec.  742.  Political  privileges. — Rural  carriers  and  clerks 
in  charge  of  rural  stations  have  a  right  to  vote  as  they 
please  and  to  express  privately  their  opinions  on  all  polit- 
ical subjects,  butthey  shall  take  no  active  part  in  political 
management  or  political  campaigns. 

Sec.  743.  Carriers  not  to  circulate  petitions. — Rural 
carriers  shall  not  circulate  or  encourage  the  circulation  of 
petitions  for  changes  in  the  service,  the  appointment  or 
removal  of  postmasters,  or  for  any  other  object  in  con- 
nection with  the  postal  sei'vice. 

Sec.  744.  Soliciting  for  business  concerns  and  furnish- 
ing of  names  of  patrons  forbidden. — Rural  carriers  shall 
not,  either  in  person  or  through  others,  directly  or  in- 
directly, or  by  any  method  whatever,  cooperate  with  or 
assist  publishers  or  others  in  securing  the  patronage  of  the 
public,  nor  furnish,  directly  or  through  others,  the  names 
and  addresses  of  patrons  of  the  service,  vtdth  or  without 
compensation,  to  any  individual  or  company,  except  to 
officers  who  are,  under  the  regulations,  entitled  to  them. 
(See  sec.  171.) 

Sec.  745.  Passengers. — Rui-al  carriers  shall  not  carry 
in  their  vehicles  while  on  duty  any  unauthorized  person, 
but  shall  allow  post-office  inspectors  and  other  agents  of 
the  department,  on  presentation  of  proper  credentials,  to 
accompany  them  on  their  regular  trips. 

Numerous  requests  are  received  by  the  department  for 
permission  to  allow  members  of  a  carrier's  family  or  others 
to  accompany  him  while  he  is  on  duty,  or  for  authority  to 


RURAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  103 

permit  the  carrier  to  employ  a  chauffeur  to  drive  him 
over  the  route  in  an  automobile  when  this  type  of  vehicle 
is  used. 

In  view  of  the  provisions  of  the  foregoing  paragraph, 
requests  of  this  kind  are  uniformly  refused.  The  only 
persons  who  are  authorized  to  accompany  a  rural  carrier 
when  in  the  service  of  his  route  are  post-office  inspectors 
and  other  agents  of  the  department,  upon  presentation  of 
proper  credentials,  and  postmasters,  or  their  official  repre- 
sentatives, when  on  postal  business.  Exceptions  to  these 
provisions  are  not  to  be  made  by  postmasters,  who  are 
enjoiued  to  see  that  they  are  observed,  and  the  carrier 
who  violates  the  regulation  bearing  upon  the  matter  is 
subject  to  discipline. 

Sec.  746.  Pension  vouchers  authenticated  by  rural 
carriers. — Rural  carriers  are  required  and  authorized  to 
administer  oaths  required  of  pensioners  and  their  wit- 
nesses in  the  execution  of  pension  vouchers  and  may 
charge  25  cents  for  each  voucher.  They  must  follow  care- 
fully the  instructions  contained  in  section  292. 

Sec.  747.  Postmasters  to  enforce  regulations. — Post- 
mastera  at  offices  where  rural-delivery  service  is  in  opera- 
tion shall  familiarize  themselves  with  the  regulations, 
rules,  orders,  and  instructions  governing  rural  delivery,  as 
the  service  is  under  their  supervision  and  they  are  re- 
quired to  instruct  carriers  and  inform  others  in  relation 
to  it. 

Sec.  748.  Postmasters  shall  supervise  work  of  carriers, 
make  trips  of  inspection  over  routes,  and  recommend 
proper  changes  in  service. 


104  POSTAL  LAWS   AND   REGULATIONS. 

Postmasters  shall  supervise  the  work  of  the  rural  carriers 
and  see  that  they  perform  their  duties  in  an  efficient 
manner  and  shall  keep  themselves  informed  as  to  the  con- 
ditions of  the  routes  attached  to  their  offices  and  the  busi- 
ness transacted  on  them.  Postmasters  shall  make  trips 
of  inspection  over  the  riu-al  routes  twice  each  year,  within 
the  months  of  April  and  October,  such  inspections  to  be 
made  without  expense  to  the  department,  and  reports 
shall  be  submitted  to  the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster 
General,  Division  of  Rural  Mails,  in  the  prescribed  form, 
a  copy  of  each  report  to  be  kept  in  the  files  of  the  post 
office. 

2.  Postmasters  shall  make  prompt  report  to  the  depart- 
ment of  any  permanent  changes  of  travel  by  rural  carriers 
from  the  line  of  the  routes  as  officially  described,  due  to 
changes  in  roads  by  State  or  local  authorities,  or  for  other 
reasons,  and  should  make  recommendation  for  withdrawal 
of  service  from  retraces  or  other  portions  of  routes  net 
regularly  traveled,  or  on  which  the  number  of  families 
served  and  amount  of  mail  delivered  and  collected  do  not 
warrant  continuance  of  service  thereon.  They  should 
make  suggestions  for  extensions  of  routes  for  the  supply 
of  famiUes  not  easily  accessible  to  facilities,  or  to  more 
conveniently  serve  patrons  when,  in  their  opinion,  the 
number  of  families,  the  distance  they  reside  from  rural  or 
star  routes  or  post  offices,  and  the  condition  of  the  roads  to 
be  covered  warrant  such  extensions. 

Note.— At  oflfjces  of  the  first  and  second  classes  postmasters  may- 
deputize  the  assistant  postmaster  or  some  other  competent  employee 
to  make  the  inspections  required  and  to  prepare  the  reports  for  sub- 
mission by  them. 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  105 

Sec.  749.  Office  work. — Postmasters  sliall  not  require 
carriers  to  perform  work  in  post  offices,  except  such  as 
may  be  necessary  for  the  proper  discharge  of  their  own 
duties.  Carriers  shall  not  be  permitted,  without  specific 
authority  from  the  department,  to  handle  or  have  access 
to  mail  other  than  that  of  patrons  of  their  routes. 

Postmasters  at  city  deliveiy  offices  may  require  rural 
carriers  to  relay  bundles  of  mail  to  package  boxes  conven- 
iently located  on  the  established  line  of  rural  routes  for 
subsequent  delivery  by  city  carriers. 

2.  Postmasters  may  obtain  permission  from  the  depart- 
ment to  allow  rural  carriers  to  assist  in  the  separation  of 
second,  thii"d,  and  fourth  class  matter  only  when  such 
action  is  necessary  to  enable  the  carriers  to  depart  for  the 
service  of  their  routes  at  the  prescribed  time  and  a  change 
in  the  schedule  is  impracticable. 

Sec.  750.  Carriers  to  have  access  to  Postal  Laws  and 
Regulations. — Rural  carriers  shall  have  access  to  the 
copies  of  the  Postal  Laws  and  Regulations  and  Official 
Postal  Guides  in  post  offices  so  that  they  may  inform 
themselves  regarding  all  regulations,  rules,  and  orders 
relating  to  the  Rural  Delivery  Service.  Carriers  shall 
receive  their  instructions  and  obtain  information  concern- 
ing the  service  from  the  postmasters  to  whom  they  are 
subordinate  and  shall  not  write  to  the  department  in 
regard  to  such  matters.  In  cases  of  uncertainty  post- 
masters shall  submit  questions  to  the  department  and 
await  definite  instructions. 

2.  Rural  carriers  may  submit  directly  to  the  department 
suggestions  pertaining  solely  to  methods  of  improving 
the  service,  either  by  enlargement  of  the  local  delivery 


106  POSTAL   LAWS   AND   KEGULATIONS. 

zone  to  serve  more  patrons  at  reduced  postal  rates,  through 
the  direct  exchange  of  mail  matter  between  carriers,  or  by 
any  other  means  that  will  promote  the  efficiency  of  the 
service  or  increase  the  patronage  thereof.  Copies  ©f  all 
suggestions  at  time  of  transmission  shall  be  furnished  the 
postmaster,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  forward  the  same  to 
the  Fom-th  Assistant  Postmaster  General,  with  such 
recommendation  or  comment  as  may  be  deemed  proper. 

Sec.  751.  Special  rules  proposed  by  postmasters. — Any 
special  rules  or  instructions  which  postmasters  may  desire 
to  promulgate  for  the  guidance  of  their  rural  carriers  with 
a  view  to  promoting  efficiency  and  maintaining  proper 
discipline  shall  be  submitted  to  the  Fomlh  Assistant 
Postmaster  General  for  approval. 

Sec.  752.  Carriers'  duties. — The  official  duties  of  rural 
earners  shall  be  the  delivery  into  and  collection  from 
boxes  on  their  routes  of  mail  matter  of  all  classes,  serving 
of  post  offices  with  mail  whenever  such  service  is  author- 
ized, sale  of  stamp  supplies,  receiving  and  receipting  for 
matter  presented  for  registration,  delivery  of  registered 
matter,  the  handling  of  registered  matter  in  transit  over 
their  routes,  taking  of  applications  for  money  orders  and 
the  money  therefor,  the  acceptance  of  parcels  for  insur- 
ance, the  acceptance  of  C.  0.  D.  parcels,  the  forwarding  of 
mail  addressed  to  their  patrons  and  the  transfer  of  mail 
of  former  patrons  whose  addresses  have  been  changed  to 
other  routes,  the  erection  of  United  States  collection  boxes, 
and  the  performance  of  such  other  duties  as  may  be 
required  of  them  by  law  and  the  regulations  of  the 
department. 


RUBAL    MAIT.   SERVICE.  107 

Sec.  753.  Funds  received. — Rural  carriers  shall  account 
for  and  promptly  pay  over  to  the  proper  officials  all 
funds  belonging  to  the  United  States  which  may  come  into 
their  possession,  and  make  proper  disposition  of  any 
money  intrusted  to  them  as  agents  of  the  Post  Office 
Department. 

Sec.  754.  Roster  of  patrons. — Every  rural  carrier  shall 
procure  the  name  of  each  patron  over  10  years  of  age  on 
his  route,  using  for  that  purpose  the  "Patron's  name  and 
address  slip,"  and  shall  enter  the  names  in  alphabetical 
order  in  the  roster  book  (item  136),  and  place  opposite 
each  name  the  number  of  the  box  through  which  mail 
is  delivered.  He  shall  also  keep  in  the  same  book  a 
numerically  an-anged  list  of  boxes,  with  the  names  of  all 
persons  receiving  mail  through  a  box  placed  opposite  its 
number. 

2.  Postmasters  shall  have  prepared  from  the  patrons' 
name  and  address  slips,  and  posted  in  the  workroom  of 
the  office,  lists  of  names  of  patrons  of  each  route  with 
number  of  box  opposite  each  patron's  name. 

3.  Postmasters  shall  make  a  quarterly  examination  of 
each  rural  carrier's  roster  of  patrons  and  ascertain  the 
correctness  thereof. 

Sec.  755.  Room  for  carriers. — Space  shall  be  provided 
for  the  rm-al  carriers  in  some  part  of  the  post  office  not 
accessible  to  the  public,  which  space  shall  be  sufficient  to 
enable  them  properly  to  perform  their  office  work.  Car- 
riers shall  have  access  to  this  portion  of  the  office  only  for 
such  time  as  may  be  required  to  arrange  their  mail  and  to 
make  necessary  records  and  reports  before  and  after  serving 
their  routes. 


108  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

Sec.  756.  Impassable  roads,  etc. — In  all  cases  of  im- 
passable roads,  bad  condition  of  roads,  unsafe  bridges, 
dangerous  fords,  or  other  obstructions  to  service  on  rural 
routes,  the  postmasters  at  distributing  offices  shall  notify 
the  patrons  affected  and  the  road  super\risors  or  officials' 
in  charge  of  such  matters  and  request  that  the  necessary 
repairs  be  made.  If  the  repairs  are  not  made  within  a 
reasonable  time  the  postmaster  shall  report  the  facts  to 
the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster  General,  Division  of 
Rural  Mails,  including  the  names  of  the  patrons  affected 
and  the  officials  in  charge.  Postmasters  shall  in  like 
manner  report  every  instance  where  a  nonautomatic 
gate  is  being  maintained  on  any  road  covered  by  Rural 
Delivery  Service. 

Sec.  757.  Deviations  from  routes. — Rural  carriers  shall 
serve  their  routes  as  ordered  by  the  department  and  as 
officially  described,  except  in  cases  of  emergency.  In 
such  cases  the  deviation  shall  be  reported  immediately 
by  the  carriers  to  the  postmasters.  If  the  official  lines  of 
travel  are  not  promptly  resumed,  the  facts  should  be  re- 
ported to  the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster  General, 
Division  of  Rural  Mails. 

2.  When  owing  to  climatic  or  other  conditions  which  can 
not  be  controlled,  a  carrier  serving  one  triweekly  route  is 
unable  to  perform  service  on  the  days  prescribed  by  the 
department,  he  shall,  if  conditions  permit,  be  required  to 
perform  service  on  the  next  working  day. 

Sec.  758.  Carriers  to  use  utmost  endeavor  to  serve 
routes. — Rural  earners  shall  report  at  the  offices  for  duty  in 
accordance  with  schedule  without  regard  to  the  condition 
of  the  weather  and  to  put  forth  every  effort  to  perform  full 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.-  109 

Service.  If  a  carrier  is  temporarily  prevented  from  travel- 
ing over  his  route  as  officially  described,  he  shall,  if 
necessary  to  serve  some  of  his  patrons,  reverse  the  order 
of  travel,  and  shall,  in  case  of  any  obstruction  to  travel 
over  the  regular  route,  use  any  available  roads  in  order 
to  serve  his  patrons. 

2.  Postmasters  may  permit  carriers  to  perform  service  on 
horseback  when,  on  account  of  storms  or  other  causes,  roads 
are  temporarily  impassable  for  vehicles.  In  such  cases  the 
prescribed  schedule  shall  be  observed  and  the  mail  com- 
pletely protected  from  loss  or  damage. 

Sec.  759.  Regular  service  required. — Postmasters  at 
distributing  offices  shall  not  permit  suspension  or  inter- 
ruption of  service  on  rural -delivery  routes  because  of  the 
absence  of  regular  carriers  or  substitutes,  but  in  such  emer- 
gency shall  employ  a  suitable  person  to  perform  service 
temporarily  and  promptly  report  the  facts  to  the  depart- 
ment. 

Sec.  760.  Schedules. — Rural  carriers  shall  report  at  the 
post  offices  to  which  they  are  attached  not  less  than  30 
minutes  prior  to  the  scheduled  hour  of  departure  to  serve 
their  routes,  or  as  much  earlier  as  may  be  necessary  to 
enable  them  to  assort  their  mail  for  delivery,  shall  have 
their  conveyances  at  the  post  offices  by  the  starting  time, 
and  shall  return  with  their  collections  before  going  to  their 
homes.  They  shall  cover  their  routes  expeditiously,  but 
so  regulate  the  rate  of  travel  that  the  respective  boxes  will 
be  reached  at  about  the  same  hour  each  day. 

2.  In  case  of  emergency  a  temporary  deviation  from  the 
schedule  may  be  permitted,  but  no  permanent  change  in 


110  rOSTAL  LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

a  carrier's  schedule  shall  be  made  except  by  direction  of 
the  department. 

3.  When  a  change  of  schedule  is  rendered  advisable  by- 
reason  of  change  in  the  time  of  arrival  or  departure  of  mails 
or  for  any  other  reason,  the  postmaster  shall  notify  the 
department  accordingly  and  submit  a  new  schedule. 

4.  Postmasters  shall  require  carriers  to  delay  departure 
for  service  of  their  routes  one  hour  when  advisable  on 
account  of  delay  in  incoming  mails  at  the  post  office, 
provided  such  delay  in  departure  will  not  prevent  the 
complete  performance  of  service  on  the  route  or  the 
regular  dispatch  of  mails  collected  by  the  carrier. 

5.  Carriers,  while  serving  their  routes,  may  stop  not  to 
exceed  30  minutes  for  dinner  and  to  feed  their  animals, 
provided  such  stop  will  not  prevent  their  return  to  the 
distributing  office  on  schedule  time .  During  such  interv'al 
the  carrier  shall  retain  personal  custody  of  the  mail  and 
equipment. 

Sec.  761.  Trip  reports. — The  exact  time  a  rural  carrier 
reports  at  the  office,  leaves  to  serve  his  route,  returns  at 
completion  of  the  trip,  and  leaves  the  office  after  complet- 
ing his  duties  shall  be  reported  daily  by  him  on  Form  4240 
and  Form  4241.  In  case  of  partial  failure  the  carrier  shall 
note  in  his  report  the  cause  of  his  failure  to  complete  the 
trip,  the  number  of  miles  traveled,  and  the  number  of 
miles  of  the  route  served.  The  entries  shall  be  made  at 
the  beginning  and  end  of  his  trip.  The  carrier  shall  not 
be  permitted  to  take  the  report  away  from  the  post  office, 
and  at  the  end  of  each  month  he  shall  complete  the  report 
promptly. 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  Ill 

Forms  4241,  prepared  by  rural  carriers  and  fonvarded 
to  the  department  monthly,  are  frequently  accompanied 
by  letters  relating  to  employment  of  temporary  rural  car- 
riers (involving  the  issuance  of  salary  orders),  complaints 
against  employees,  proposed  amendments  of  routes, 
changes  of  schedule,  etc. 

Such  letters  should  not  be  held  until  the  end  of  the 
month,  but  should  be  sent  to  the  department  without 
delay. 

Under  no  circumstances  should  correspondence  be 
inclosed  with  trip  reports  except  it  pertains  solely  to 
such  reports. 

Sec.  762.  Irregularities  in  service  to  be  reported. — At 
the  end  of  each  month  in  which  irregularities  occur  in  the 
eervdce,  postmasters  at  distributing  offices  shall  prepare  a 
report  in  duplicate  on  Form  5502^,  setting  forth  the  total 
suspensions  of  service  and  partial  failures  which  occurred 
during  the  month.  When  no  deductions  have  been  made 
from  the  carriers'  salaries  in  cases  of  either  total  or  partial 
failures,  the  postmaster  shall  state  the  reasons  for  not  mak- 
ing deductions  and,  when  the  route  has  been  but  partly 
served,  give  the  number  of  miles  traveled  by  the  earlier  on 
each  day  and  the  cause  of  the  partial  failure. 

Sec.  763.  Loop  routes. — Rural  carriers  who  serve  "loop 
routes"  shall  report  to  the  postmasters  at  offices  to  which 
they  are  attached  at  stated  intervals  for  instructions  and  to 
have  checked  their  accounts  of  stamps  and  other  postal 
supplies,  and  the  postmasters  shall  exercise  as  close  super- 
vision as  practicable  over  the  service  and  keep  themselves 
advised,  as  far  as  possible,  through  inquiry  of  patrons  and 


112  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

otherwise,  as  to  the  character  of  service  rendered  by  the 
carriers. 

Sec.  764.  Outside  employment,  restrictions. — Rural 
carriers  shall  not  solicit  business  or  receive  orders  of  any 
kind  for  any  person,  firm,  or  corporation,  and  shall  not 
during  their  hours  of  employment  carry  any  merchandise 
for  hire:  Provided,  That  said  carriers  may  carry  merchan- 
dise for  hire  and  upon  the  request  of  patrons  residing  upon 
their  respective  routes  ■  whenever  it  shall  not  interfere 
with  the  proper  discharge  of  their  official  duties  and  under 
such  regulations  as  the  Postmaster  General  may  prescribe. 

2.  Rural  carriers  shall  not  engage  in  any  business  while 
on  or  off  duty  which  offers  temptation  to  solicit  patronage 
on  their  routes  or  in  which  their  official  position  would  give 
them  special  advantage  over  competitors. 

3.  Rural  carriers  shall  be  permitted  to  carry  outside  of 
the  mails,  for  and  upon  request  of  patrons  of  their  routes, 
articles  and  packages  of  merchandise  wliich  under  the  law 
and  regulations  are  unmailable,  pro\dded  there  is  no  delay 
or  interference  with  the  regular  mail  servdce;  but  intoxi- 
cating liquors,  explosives,  or  any  articles  exhaling  bad 
odor  shall  not  in  any  circumstances  be  carried  by  them 
while  on  duty. 

4.  R/ural  carriers  shall  not  carry  while  on  duty  any 
package  of  mailable  matter  the  weight  of  which  is  within 
the  limit  prescribed  for  admission  to  the  mails  (except 
franked  and  other  matter  entitled  under  the  law  to  free 
transportation),  unless  postage  shall  have  been  paid  there- 
on at  regular  rates.  Admissible  matter  shall  be  properly 
prepared  for  mailing  and  carried  only  in  the  mails. 


BUBAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  113 

5.  Rural  carriers  shall  not  while  on  duty  convey  outside 
the  mails  any  package  which  has  been  rendered  unmail- 
able  by  the  addition  of  extraneous  matter,  nor  any  package 
containing  articles  or  parcels  to  be  delivered  by  the  carrier 
to  different  persons. 

6.  Articles  and  packages  which  patrons  desire  conveyed 
outside  the  mails  shall  be  delivered  to  the  carrier  in  per- 
son. Carriers  shall  not  leave  their  routes  while  on  duty 
to  receive  or  deliver  such  matter. 

7.  Any  fees  charged  by  the  carriers  for  transporting  and 
delivering  matter  outside  the  mails  shall  be  paid  by  the 
patrons  for  whom  such  service  is  rendered .  Carriers  shall 
not  receive  compensation  from  merchants  for  such  service. 

Kural  carriers  should  encourage  the  use  of  the  mails  but 
should  not  act  as  agents  or  solicitors  for  any  particular 
individual,  firm,  or  corporation,  as  the  foregoing  section 
prohibits  them  from  doing  so. 

Sec.  765.  Passage  of  carrier  not  to  be  obstructed. — The 
passag-e  of  a  carrier  on  a  rural  route  shall  not  be  wilfully 
obstructed,  but  rural  carriers  are  not  entitled  to  privileges 
on  a  public  highway  not  possessed  by  private  individuals. 
(See  sees.  1706  and  1712.) 

Sec.  766.  Separation  of  mail  by  office  force  required. — 
The  mail  for  each  rural  route  shall  be  separated  by  the 
postmaster  or  his  assistants  at  the  distributing  office  and 
handed  to  the  carrier  for  delivery. 

Sec.  767.  Arranging  by  carriers. — Before  starting  from 
distributing  offices  rural  carriers  shall  assort  their  mail, 
?jrranging  it  in  the  order  in  which  it  is  to  be  delivered, 
32657°— 21 8 


114  POSTAL   LAWS   AND   REGULATIONS. 

placing  together  the  entire  mail  for  each  box,  in  order 
that  prompt  and  accurate  delivery  may  be  effected. 

Note.— See  section  787. 

Sec.  768.  Rural  carriers  accountable  for  mail  matter. — 
Rural  carrieis  are  held  strictly  accountable  for  the  care 
and  proper  delivery  or  dispatch  of  mail  intrusted  to  them; 
they  shall  not  carry  mail  in  the  pockets  of  their  clothing, 
throw  it  into  yards,  nor  leave  it  where  it  is  likely  to  be 
lost.  Throwing  away,  destroying,  or  improperly  dis- 
posing of  mail  matter  of  any  Idnd  is  an  offense  punishable 
by  fine  or  imprisonment. 

2.  A  parcel  too  large  to  be  placed  in  the  addressee's  box, 
shall  be  carried  out  on  the  route  on  the  first  trip  after  its 
receipt  at  the  post  office,  but  shall  not  be  left  outside  of 
the  box.  Where  the  patron  does  not  live  within  hailing 
distance  of  the  route  and  is  not  at  the  box  to  receive  the 
parcel  from  the  carrier,  a  notice  on  the  form  for  that  pur- 
pose shall  be  left  in  the  box,  requesting  that  the  patron 
meet  the  carrier  on  the  next  trip  unless  the  parcel  is  called 
for  at  the  post  office  in  the  meantime. 

Sec.  769.  Exhibition  of  mail  to  unauthorized  persons 
and  acceptance  of  fees  for  delivery  forbidden. — ^Mail  shall 
not  be  exhibited  by  rural  carriers  to  others  than  the 
addressees. 

2.  Rural  carriers  shall  not  request  or  receive  from 
patrons  fees  for  the  delivery  or  collection  of  mail,  and 
shall  not  require  the  payment  of  postage  on  mail  in  excess 
of  that  prescribed  by  law. 

Sec.  770.  Manner  of  addressing  mail  matter. — ^Mail, 
other  than  registered,  insured  and  C.  0.  D.  mail,  for  de- 
livery by  rural  carriers  which  is  addressed  merely  to  the 


RUBAL    MAIL    SEBVICE.  115 

box  and  route  number  may  be  delivered  to  the  owner  of 
the  box  as  long  as  no  improper  or  unlawful  business  is 
conducted  in  this  manner.  Matter  which  is  unaddressed 
is  undeliverable. 

2.  First-class  matter  mailed  by  a  patron  and  returned 
on  account  of  failure  of  delivery  to  the  addressee  shall  be 
placed  in  the  box  of  the  sender  if  the  name  of  the  post 
office  and  the  route  and  box  numbers  are  given  on  the  re- 
turn card,  regardless  of  the  absence  of  the  sender's  name. 

See  section  594,  paragraph  2,  which  requires  postmasters  to  report 
suspected  fictitious  addresses,  and  section  935,  paragraph  12,  regarding 
registered  matter.  Insured  and  C.  O.  D.  mail  is  delivered  in  accordance 
with  the  regulations  that  govern  the  delivery  of  registered  mail. 

Sec.  771.  Delivery  to  none  but  addressees  or  duly  au- 
thorized persons. — Ordinary  mail  shall  be  delivered  only 
into  boxes  of  patrons  to  whom  it  is  addressed,  or  into  those 
of  persons  duly  authorized  to  receive  it.  Carriers  may 
deliver  such  mail  directly  to  patrons  whom  they  meet 
provided  their  identity  is  known  and  carriers  are  not 
thereby  unduly  delayed. 

Sec.  772.  Examination  of  boxes  by  carriers. — Rural 
carriers  shall  open  and  examine  boxes  of  patrons  only 
when  signals  are  displayed  to  indicate  that  they  contain 
mail  for  dispatch, 

2.  When  the  carrier  finds  the  signal  displayed  indicat- 
ing that  there  is  mail  in  a  box  for  dispatch  and  he  has 
mail  for  delivery  in  the  box,  he  shall  let  the  signal  remain 
displayed,  but  if  he  deposits  no  mail  in  the  box  he  shall 
lower  the  signal.  In  cases  where  the  signal  has  not  been 
displayed  and  he  deposits  mail  in  the  box,  he  shall  raise 
the  signal. 


116  POSTAL  LAWS   AND   REGULATIONS. 

Sec.  773.  Office  delivery  to  rural  patrons. — Postmasters 
shall  deliver  mail  of  all  classes  to  patrons  of  rural-delivery 
routes  who  call  therefor  at  the  offices  when  they  are  open 
for  business  on  Sundays  and  holidays,  and  also  at  other 
times  when  such  delivery  will  not  interfere  with  the 
business  of  the  office  or  delay  the  rural  carriers  in  depart- 
ing for  service  of  their  routes. 

Sec.  771.  Carriers  to  report  on  Sundays  and  holidays 
when  necessary. — Postmasters  may,  if  conditions  justify'-, 
require  rural  carriers  to  report  for  duty  for  one  hour  on 
holidays  on  which  service  is  not  rendered  on  rural  routes 
to  assist  in  delivering  mail  to  patrons  of  rural  routes  who 
call  for  it.  Postmasters  shall  not  call  upon  rural  carriers 
to  perform  duty  on  Sunday,  except  when  their  services 
are  urgently  necessary  for  the  pm-pose  above  set  forth. 

Sec.  775.  Postage  due  mail  at  rural-delivery  offices. — 
When  mail  matter,  addressed  to  a  patron  of  a  rural  route,  on 
which  the  required  postage  has  not  been  fully  paid,  is 
received  at  the  distributing  office,  the  postmaster  shall 
note  thereon  the  amount  of  postage  due  and  hand  the 
mail  to  the  carrier  for  delivery  on  collection  of  the  amount 
due.  If  the  deficient  postage  can  be  collected  by  the  car- 
rier without  leaving  his  route  he  shall,  on  receiving  the 
required  amount  in  coin,  affix  postage-due  stamps  to  the 
roatter,  cancel  them  and  deliver  the  mail;  otherwise  the 
carrier  shall  fill  in  a  notification  card  (Form  4233),  deposit 
in  the  addressee's  box  and  return  the  unpaid  or  part-paid 
matter  to  the  post  office  to  be  held  until  the  amount  of 
postage  due  is  paid  or  directions  are  received  from  the 
addressee  as  to  disposition  of  such  mail. 


RURAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  117 

2.  "When  matter  on  which  postage  is  to  be  collected  is 
sent  out  for  delivery  upon  a  rural  route,  the  carrier  shall  be 
furnished  by  the  postmaster  with  postage-due  stamps  in 
the  required  amount,  but  such  stamps  shall  not  be  affixed 
to  the  mail  until  the  carrier  shall  receive  in  coin  the 
amount  due. 

Sec.  776.  Pension  mail. — Letters  from  the  Bureau  of 
Pensions  bearing  upon  the  envelope  reference  to  the  act 
of  August  17,  1912,  addressed  to  a  patron  of  a  rural  route 
shall  be  delivered  at  the  residence  of  the  addressee  by  the 
carrier  on  his  regular  trip  if  such  residence  is  not  more 
than  one-half  mile  from  the  line  of  travel  and  there  is  a 
passable  road  leading  thereto. 

2.  If  the  patron's  residence  is  more  than  one-half  mile 
from  the  route,  or  there  is  no  passable  road  leading  to  his 
residence,  a  note  shall  be  placed  in  his  box  informing  him 
of  the  receipt  of  pension  mail  at  the  post  office  and  that  he 
may  personally  receive  such  mail  at  his  box,  or  by  calling 
at  the  post  ofiice  for  it.     (See  sec.  608.) 

Sec.  777.  Diversion  of  mail  in  transit  prohibited. — 
Postmasters  and  rural  carriers  shall  not  divert  in  transit 
any  mail  addressed  to  a  post  office  other  than  the  distrib- 
uting office  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  more  expeditious 
delivery  thereof  by  carrier  to  the  box  of  the  addressee. 
All  mail  shall  be  delivered  from  the  post  office  to  which 
it  is  addressed  except  as  otherwise  provided  by  the  Postal 
Laws  and  Regulations. 

Sec.  778.  Intermediate  offices. — Rural  carriers  shall 
stop  regularly  at  intermediate  ofiices  on  their  routes  for 
mail  addressed  to  such  offices  for  patrons  of  the  rural- 
delivery  routes.     If  such  patrons  reside  on  the  part  of  the 


118  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

route  already  traveled  by  the  carrier  the  mail  shall  be  left 
overnight  in  the  distributing  office  and  delivered  by  the 
carrier  on  his  next  trip.  Such  action  shall  not  be  con- 
sidered as  forwarding  mail  and  no  additional  postage  shall 
be  required.  Postmasters  at  intermediate  offices  or  their 
assistants  shall  receive  such  mail  from  and  deliver  it  to 
the  carriers  at  their  vehicles. 

Sec.  779.  Acceptance  of  any  mail  required,  when. — ^A 
rural  carrier  shall  accept  any  mailable  matter  which  may 
be  tendered  to  him  by  any  person  for  delivery  or  dispatch 
provided  the  postage  is  fully  prepaid  or  money  equal  to 
the  postage  required  is  furnished,  unless  it  is  ascertained 
that  the  purpose  of  thus  handing  mail  to  the  carrier  for 
deposit  into  one  office  is  to  "boycott"  another  office,  or 
deprive  it  of  its  legitimate  revenue.  This  provision  ap- 
plies also  to  registry  business,  the  insurance  ot  fourth-class 
matter,  the  sale  of  postal  supplies,  and  to  money-order 
business. 

Sec.  780.  Acceptance  of  matter  for  which  postage  Is  not 
determined. — When  matter  is  tendered  to  a  rural  carrier 
for  mailing,  the  weight  of  which  or  the  rate  of  postage 
thereon  he  is  unable  to  ascertain,  he  shall  receive  from 
the  sender  an  amount  sufficient  to  insure  full  payment  of 
postage,  take  the  mail  to  the  post  office,  and  affix  the 
necessary  postage,  returning  to  the  sender  on  the  next 
trip  any  excess  amount  collected. 

Sec.  781.  Turning  in  of  collections. — ^All  mail  collected 
by  rural  carriers  shall  be  properly  faced  by  them  and  de- 
posited in  the  distributing  offices  for  delivery  or  dispatch, 
except  such  as  they  are  specifically  authorized  by  the 
department  to  deliver  or  deposit  in  another  manner. 


EUBAL   MAIL   SERVICE.  119 

Sec.  782.  TTnstamped  matter  foiiitd  in  boxes. — ^When  a 
rural  carrier  finds  unstamped  mail  in  a  patron's  box,  and 
the  requisite  amount  of  money  for  postage  properly 
wrapped  or  placed  in  a  coin-holding  receptacle,  he  shall 
collect  the  mail  and  money  and  affix  the  necessary  stamps. 

2.  When  mailable  matter  is  deposited  in  a  box  for 
dispatch  and  the  required  postage  has  not  been  paid  nor 
sufficient  money  left  for  the  purchase  of  stamps,  a  rural 
carrier  shall,  when  the  identity  of  the  sender  is  known, 
place  in  the  box  a  notice  that  such  matter  can  not  be  dis- 
patched until  the  necessary  postage  is  paid.  If  the  iden- 
tity of  the  sender  is  unknown  the  matter  shall  be  taken 
to  the  distributing  office  and  treated  as  prescribed  in 
section  545. 

3.  Mail  boxes  erected  on  rural  routes  are  intended 
exclusively  for  the  reception  of  matter  regularly  in  the 
mails,  and  any  mailable  matter,  such  as  circulars,  sale 
bills,  etc.,  deposited  therein  is  subject  to  the  rules  gov- 
erning the  mails,  including  proper  addressing  and  the 
pa^onent  of  postage  at  the  regular  rate. 

4.  When  a  rural  carrier  finds  deposited  in  a  box  mailable 
matter  on  which  postage  has  not  been  paid,  addressed  to 
or  intended  for  the  person  in  whose  box  it  is  deposited, 
the  carrier  shall  take  such  matter  to  the  distributing  post 
office  to  be  held  for  postage  and  treated  as  prescribed  by 
section  545. 

Sec.  783.  Exchange  of  mail  through  United  States  col- 
lection boxes. — ^Where  the  exchange  of  mail  by  rural  car- 
riers through  a  United  States  collection  box  is  authorized, 
each  carrier  shall  open  the  box  and  deposit  in  it,  without 
canceling  the  stamps,  mail  collected  on  his  route  addressed 


120  POSTAL   LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

to  patrons  of  the  intersecting  route,  to  intermediate  post 
offices  or  stations  located  thereon,  or  to  the  distributing 
office,  delivery  or  dispatch  of  which  will  be  thereby  ad- 
vanced, to  be  collected  by  the  carrier  on  the  connecting 
route, 

2.  When  carriers  on  intersecting  rural  routes  are  author- 
ized to  make  hand-to-hand  exchange,  each  shall  deliver 
to  the  other  all  mail  which  would  be  thereby  advanced 
in  delivery  or  dispatch. 

Sec  784.  Cancellation  by  carriers  of  mail  delivered  en 
route. — When  mail  is  collected  by  a  carrier  en  route,  or 
received  by  one  carrier  from  another,  which  can,  in  regular 
course  of  service,  be  delivered  in  the  addressee's  box  by 
the.  receiving  carrier  prior  to  his  return  to  the  distributing 
office,  he  shall  cancel  the  stamps  thereon  by  writing  legibly 
across  them,  with  an  indelible  pencil,  the  date,  the  name 
of  the  distributing  office,  the  State,  and  the  number  of 
the  route,  and  deposit  the  mail  in  the  proper  box. 

2.  The  value  of  stamps  canceled  by  a  carrier  on  mail 
collected  and  delivered  by  him  shall  be  reported  to  the 
postmaster  of  the  distributing  office. 

3.  Any  mail  collected  or  receiA^ed  by  a  rural  carrier  on 
his  route  addressed  for  delivery  at  a  post  office  on  a  route 
other  than  the  one  from  which  his  route  s'igarts,  shall  be 
delivered,  uncanceled,  at  the  office  of  address,  if  an  inter- 
mediate post  office,  or  dispatched  to  the  office  of  address, 
even  though  the  addressee  is  a  patron  of  the  carrier's  route 
and  a  more-expeditious  delivery  could  be  effected  by  the 
carrier. 

4.  Except  as  provided  in  this  section,  no  stamps  on 
mail  shall  be  canceled  by  carriers. 


EUEAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  121 

Sec.  786.  Bepcrts  by  carriers. — Rural  carriers  shall  make 
daily  entries  on  Form  4240  of  the  number  of  pieces  of  mail 
delivered  and  collected  on  their  routes,  the  number  of 
registered  letters  and  parcels  received,  delivered,  and 
handled  in  transit,  and  the  number  of  letters  and  parcels 
registered,  and  the  number  of  applications  for  money  orders 
received,  value  of  stamps  canceled  on  mail  collected,  and 
the  value  of  stamps,  stamped  paper,  etc.,  sold  by  them. 
Postmasters  shall  certify  to  the  correctness  of  the  reports 
and  retain  them  in  the  office  files. 

2.  When  the  delivery  and  collection  on  a  route  aggregates 
more  than  5,000  pieces  of  mail  a  month  for  three  con- 
secutive months,  the  counting  of  mail  may  be  discontinued 
except  during  the  first  month  of  each  quarter,  as  provided 
by  paragraph  3  of  this  section,  but  the  keeping  of  the 
record  of  registered  matter,  applications  for  money  orders, 
value  of  stamps  on  mail  collected,  and  value  of  stamps, 
stamped  paper,  etc.,  sold  shall  be  continued. 

3.  During  the  first  month  of  each  quarter,  a  count  shall 
be  kept  of  the  number  of  pieces  of  mail  delivered  and 
collected  on  every  rural  route.  At  the  end  of  such  periods, 
the  postmaster  shall  report  to  the  department  the  number 
of  pieces  of  each  class  of  mail  handled  and  the  number  of 
families  served  on  each  route,  certifying  to  the  correctness 
thereof. 

Sec,  786,  Keturn  of  mail  by  carriers  forbidden. — Mail 
which  has  come  into  the  custody  of  a  rural  earner  shall 
not  be  returned  by  him  to  any  person.  Any  application 
for  return  of  a  letter  or  package  shall  be  referred  to  the 
postmaster  at  the  distributing  office. 


122  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

Sec.  787.  Undelivered  mail  and  postal  funds  to  be 
delivered  to  postmaster. — Rural  carriers  shall  deliver  to 
the  postmaster  or  other  authorized  person,  each  day, 
immediately  after  completing  their  trips,  the  undelivered 
matter  and  the  mail  collected  by  them  and  all  postal  funds 
and  stamp  supplies,  and  complete  their  money-order  and 
registry  business  records  and  make  all  required  reports 
before  going  off  duty.  When  conditions  warrant  it,  post- 
masters may  require  carriers  before  going  off  duty  to  ar- 
range for  delivery  by  them  mail  received  after  the  depar- 
ture of  the  carriers  upon  the  service  of  their  routes.  Car- 
riers shall  not,  except  by  specific  authority  of  the  depart- 
ment, or  in  cases  of  extreme  emergency,  retain  any  mail 
in  their  possession  overnight. 

2.  Carriers  shall  note  on  the  face  of  each  piece  of  mail 
which  they  are  unable  to  deliver  the  reason  for  nondelivery. 

Sec.  788.  Unidentified  mail. — When  the  addressee  of 
mail  received  at  a  distributing  office  is  unknown,  such  mail 
shall  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  rural  carriers  for  identi- 
fication and  delivery  before  it  is  treated  as  undelivered 
matter. 

Sec.  789.  Star  service  over  rural  routes. — Persons  resid- 
ing on  roads  traveled  by  both  star-route  and  rural  carriers 
may  receive  an  additional  and  supplemental  box  delivery 
by  star  carriers. 

Sec.  790.  Two  rural  routes  on  one  road. — A  patron  resid- 
ing on  a  road  traveled  by  two  or  more  rural  carriers  may 
select  the  carrier  by  whom  he  prefers  to  have  his  mail  deliv- 
ered and  collected,  in  which  case  only  the  designated  car- 
rier shall  handle  his  mail.  Unless  such  selection  is  made 
by  the  patron  each  canier  passing  the  box  shall  deliver 


BUBAL   MAIL  SEEVICE.  123 

mail  into  it  and  collect  therefrom  any  mail  which  he  can 
expedite  in  dispatch  or  delivery. 

Sec.  791.  Contagious  diseases. — Rural  carriers  shall 
deliver  mail  into  the  boxes  of  patrons  in  whose  family  con- 
tagious diseases  exist  when  this  can  be  done  without 
exposure  to  contagion,  but  no  mail  shall  be  collected  from 
such  boxes  while  quarantine  is  in  force. 

2.  When  service  on  a  rural  route  is  wholly  or  partially 
suspended  on  account  of  quarantine  because  of  the  preva- 
lence of  a  contagious  disease,  the  postmaster  shall  promptly 
notify  the  department  of  the  fact.     (See  sec.  52S. ) 

Sec.  792.  Special  delivery  at  residence  within  half  mile 
of  route. — Special-delivery  mail  addressed  to  a  patron  of  a 
rural  route  who  lives  more  than  1  mile  from  the  post  office 
shall  be  sent  out  by  the  carrier  on  his  first  trip  after  the 
receipt  of  such  mail  and  shall  be  delivered  by  the  carrier 
at  the  patron's  dwelling  or  place  of  business,  provided  it  is 
not  more  than  one-half  mile  from  the  route,  for  which  ser- 
vice the  carrier  shall  be  paid  the  regular  fee.  If  the  patron 
resides  more  than  one-half  mile  from  the  route,  the  mail, 
after  being  properly  recorded,  shall  be  delivered  by  the 
carrier  into  the  patron's  box  the  same  as  ordinary  mail. 
In  the  latter  case  neither  the  postmaster,  the  clerk  in 
charge  of  a  rural  station,  nor  the  rural  carrier  shall  be  paid 
the  8-cent  fee. 

2.  Special-delivery  mail  shall  be  delivered  to  the  ad- 
dressee or  to  some  one  authorized  to  receive  his  mail. 

Sec.793.  Special-delivery  matter,  when  to  be  deposited 
in  patron's  box. — If  a  rural  carrier  can  not  make  personal 
delivery  of  special-delivery  matter  at  the  residence  or  place 
of  business  of  the  addressee,  it  shall  not  be  returned  to  the 


124  POSTAL   LAWS   AND   REGULATIONS. 

post  office,  but  shall  be  deposited  in  the  patron's  box,  and 
the  carrier  shall  leave  at  the  residence  or  place  of  business 
notice  of  nondelivery  (Form  3955-A). 

2.  Special-delivery  mail  addressed  to  a  patron  of  a  rural 
route  who  resides  Avithin  the  city-delivery  limits  of  an 
office  or  within  1  mile  of  a  non-free-deiivery  office  or  a  rural 
station  shall  be  immediately  delivered  by  a  person  other 
than  the  rural  carrier  unless  the  mail  is  received  before  the 
carrier  starts  on  his  service  and  the  residence  of  the  ad- 
dressee is  not  more  than  one-half  mile  from  his  route. 

Sec.  794.  Special-delivery  matter  collected  and  deliv- 
ered en  route. — When  a  rural  carrier  collects  on  his  route 
special-delivery  mail  addressed  to  a  patron  of  his  route 
which  can  be  delivered  before  he  returns  to  the  office,  he 
shall  make  proper  entry  on  Form  3954,  or  on  messenger's 
receipt  book  (Form  3951),  as  the  case  requires,  cancel  the 
stamps,  and  make  delivery  in  the  regular  way,  and  upon 
arrival  at  the  distributing  office  promptly  notify  the  post- 
master or  clerk  in  charge  of  such  collection  and  delivery 
so  that  the  proper  entry  can  be  made  on  the  records. 

Sec.  795.  Exchange  of  special-delivery  matter  by  car- 
riers.— Special-delivery  matter  shall  be  transferred  by 
one  carrier  to  another  at  a  point  where  regular  exchange 
of  ordinary  mail  is  authorized,  either  in  person  or  through 
a  United  States  collection  box,  if  such  action  will  facilitate 
delivery.  The  carrier  who  makes  or  attempts  to  make  the 
delivery  to  the  addressee  shall  be  paid  the  regular  fee  by 
the  postmaster  at  the  office  from  which  his  route  emanates. 

Sec.  796.  Special-delivery  mail  handed  to  rural  car- 
riers to  be  recorded. — Postmasters  shall  make  record  of  all 
special-delivery  matter  handed  to  rural  carriers,  but  re- 


SUBaL    mail   SERVICE;  125 

ceipts  for  ordinary  special-delivery  mail  mil  not  be  re- 
quired of  the  addressee  or  his  agent. 

Sec.  797.  Special-delivery  fees. — Rural  carriers  and 
clerks  in  charge  of  rural  stations  shall  be  paid  the  fee  of  8 
cents  on  such  special-delivery  matter  only  as  each  specially 
delivers  or  attempts  to  deliver  it. 

Sec.  798.  Kecord  in  post  office  of  special  delivery-mat- 
ter.— Special-delivery  matter  addressed  for  delivery  along; 
a  rural  route,  beyond  the  special-delivery  limits  of  an. 
office,  shall  be  recorded  in  the  post  office  and  treated  inr 
accordance  with  the  regulations  governing  the  handling; 
of  such  mail. 

2.  FoT  recording  special-delivery  matter  received"^, 
Form  3951  should  be  used  at  city-delivery  and  village- 
delivery  offices,  and  Form  3953  at  all  other  offices. 

3.  A  separate  series  of  numbers,  commencing  with  No.  1, 
shall  be  used  for  each  carrier  each  quarter.  The  special- 
delivery  mail  delivered  from  the  post  office  shall  also  be 
numbered  consecutively,  commencing  with  No.  1  each 
quarter.  The  rural  carriers  at  the  end  of  each  quarter  shall 
turn  over  to  the  postmaster  all  sheets  that  may  have  to  be 
included  by  the  latter  in  his  postal  accounts  for  that 
quarter. 

4.  At  city-delivery  offices  the  postmasters  shall  keep  a 
record  of  the  number  of  articles  specially  delivered  by  each 
rural  carrier,  and  at  the  end  of  each  month  shall  pay  him 
the  fee  earned,  taking  his  receipt  therefor  on. Form  3950. 

Sec.  799.  Registered  special-delivery  mattfer. — In  regis- 
tering special-delivery  mail  and  in  making  delivery  of 
registered  special-delivery  matter,  the  rulfes  and  regula- 
tions governing  the  registry  system  also  shall. be  observed. 


126  POSTAL  LAWS   AND   BEGULATIONS. 

Sec.  800.  Time  of  delivery  of  special-delivery  matter. — 

In  computing  the  average  time  of  delivery  of  special- 
delivery  matter  by  a  rural  carrier  only  the  time  consumed"" 
in  deviating  from  the  route  and  returning  thereto  in  order 
to  make  special  delivery  will  be  taken  into  account. 

Sec.  801.  Supply  of  intermediate  post  offices. — Rural 
carriers  shall  transport  mails  between  post  offices  located 
on  their  routes  whenever  the  performance  of  such  service 
is  specifically  ordered  by  the  department,  without  addi- 
tional compensation.  They  shall  also  convey,  without 
extra  pay,  post  office  blanks,  mail  bags,  locks,  keys,  postal 
supplies,  and  official  equipment  to  and  from  the  interme- 
diate post  offices  or  stations  to  which  they  render  regular 
service. 

Sec.  802.  Protection  of  mail. — Mail  pouches  and  their 
contents  shall  be  carefully  protected  from  injury,  depre- 
dation, or  loss.  They  shall  not  at  any  time  be  intrusted  or 
delivered  to  a  person  who  is  not  a  sworn  employee  of  the 
Post  Office  Department. 

Sec.  803.  Punctuality  and  regularity  obligatory. — Rural 
carriers  who  supply  post  offices  shall  make  special  effort  to 
exchange  mails  at  the  post  offices  in  accordance  with  pre- 
scribed schedules  even  though  at  times  adverse  conditions 
of  weather  or  highways  prevent  them  from  traveling  over 
their  entire  routes. 

Sec.  804.  Delivery  of  pouches  to  offices. — A  rural  carrier 
is  not  required  to  leave  his  vehicle  to  deliver  or  receive 
mail  at  an  intermediate  post  office,  but  must  travel  as  near 
the  office  as  practicable  and  deliver  the  mail  to  and  receive 
it  from  the  postmaster  or  his  assistant. 


BUBAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  127 

2.  If  the  postmaster  or  his  assistant  shall  fail  to  meet  the 
carrier  at  the  vehicle  the  latter  shall  dismount  and  en- 
deavor to  effect  the  exchange  in  the  post  office,  provided 
he  can  do  so  without  endangering  the  mail  in  his  custody 
or  the  official  equipment,  but  each  such  failure  of  the 
postmaster  or  assistant  to  meet  the  carrier  at  his  vehicle 
for  the  purpose  of  exchanging  the  mail  shall  be  promptly- 
reported  to  the  postmaster  at  the  distributing  office. 

Sec.  806.  Return  of  pouch  undelivered,  when  allowed. — 
When  a  rural  carrier  finds  it  impossible  to  effect  exchange 
of  mail  at  an  intermediate  post  office  he  shall  return  the 
pouch  to  the  postmaster  at  the  distributing  office  with  a 
statement  of  the  reason  for  such  failure,  and  such  post- 
master shall  promptly  report  the  facta  to  the  Fourth  Assist- 
ant Postmaster  General,  Division  of  Rural  Mails. 

Sec.  806.  Detention  of  carriers. — Postmasters  shall  not 
detain  carriers  at  intermediate  offices  more  than  10  minutes 
to  effect  the  exchange  of  mails  except  by  express  authority 
of    the    department. 

Sec.  807.  Records  of  service  at  intermediate  offices. — 
Postmasters  at  offices  supplied  by  rural  routes  shall  make 
report  to  the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster  General,  Division 
of  Rural  Mails,  of  all  cases  of  abandonment  or  interruption 
of  service,  or  continued  irregularity  in  time  of  arrival  of 
the  carrier;  when  mail  arrives  in  bad  condition  or  exposed 
to  depredation,  loss  or  damage;  when  a  pouch  is  received 
unlocked  or  without  lock,  or  fastened  with  other  than  a 
regulation  lock;  when  mail  is  carried  by  an  unauthorized 
person,  and  any  other  irregularity  in  the  performance  of 
service  or  the  conduct  of  the  carrier  that  may  occur. 


128  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

Sec.  808.  Delinquencies  in  service  to  intermediate  post 
offices. — Rural  carriers  are  subject  to  reprimand,  suspen- 
sion, or  removal  from  the  service,  according  to  the  gravity 
of  the  offense,  for  neglecting  to  take  mail  to  and  from  a 
post  office  which  they  have  been  ordered  to  serve;  for 
leaving  behind  or  throwing  off  any  portion  of  the  mail; 
for  allowing  the  mail  or  any  part  of  it  to  be  damaged,  lost, 
or  destroyed ;  for  frequent  failures  to  reach  the  intermediate 
office  at  about  the  same  hour  each  day;  or  for  the  total  or 
partial  abandonment  of  the  service. 

Sec.  809.  Carriers  not  to  open  or  close  pouches. — Rural 
carriers  shall  not  open  or  close  mail  pouches,  handle  mail  to 
be  pouched,  or  have  in  their  possession  locks  or  keys  to 
locks  used  on  closed  pouches. 

Sec.  810.  Mail  in  transit. — Upon  the  personal  applica- 
tion or  written  request  of  the  addressee,  ordinary  mail  in 
transit  to  a  post  office,  which  is  supplied  by  rural  carrier, 
may  be  delivered  from  the  distributing  office  on  Sundays 
and  holidays,  when  the  office  is  open  to  the  public. 

Sec.  811.  Conveyance  provided  by  carrier. — Each  rural 
carrier  shall  provide  for  use  in  the  performance  of  service 
a  suitable  conveyance,  so  constructed  as  to  accommodate 
the  mail  and  thoroughly  protect  it  from  damage  or  loss. 
His  stock  shall  be  kept  in  such  condition  as  will  enable 
him  to  perform  complete  and  uninterrupted  service  under 
adverse  weather  or  road  conditions. 

2.  Postmasters  shall  report  to  the  department  when 
carriers  are  using  for  service  animals  which  are  in  poor 
condition  or  which  are  not  properly  cared  for. 

3.  Carriers  in  rural  maU-delivery  service  shall  furnish  and  main  tain 
at  their  own  expense  all  necessary  vehicle  equipment  for  prompt  han- 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  129 

dling  of  the  mail:  And  provided  further,  That  nothing  herein  shall  bs 
construed,  and  no  order  shaU  be  issued,  to  prevent  the  use  of  motor 
vehicles  on  horse-drawn  vehicle  routes:  Provided  further,  The  Post- 
master General  in  his  discretion  may  require  all  carriers  to  furnish 
sufficient  equipment  to  properly  handle  postal  business  on  their  routes 
(Act  of  July  28,  1916.) 

3^.  Automobiles  may  be  used  by  rural  carriers  in  serv- 
ing their  routes,  but  such  vehicles  must  be  of  sufficient 
capacity  to  properly  handle  the  postal  business.  In  each 
case  where  service  is  performed  by  automobile,  the  post- 
master shall  state  the  months  in  which  the  route  can  be 
so  served,  the  carrying  capacity  of  the  vehicle,  and 
whether  the  condition  of  the  roads  is  such  as  to  permit  its 
uninterrupted  use  for  an  extended  period.  Motorcycles 
may  be  used  under  the  same  conditions  as  automobiles, 
but  it  being  considered  that  these  vehicles  without  some 
special  attachment  will  not  furnish  sufficient  equipment 
to  properly  handle  the  postal  business  on  rural  routes, 
the  use  of  motorcycles  will  not  be  permitted  unless  such 
vehicle  has  a  cylinder  displacement  of  not  less  than  60 
cubic  inches,  and  there  is  attached  to  the  machine  a 
coramercial  body  of  waterproof  material  not  less  than  42 
inches  long,  24  inches  wide,  and  18  inches  high,  so  con- 
structed as  to  protect  the  mail  thoroughly  from  damage 
and  loss,  the  assembled  machine  to  have  a  tread  of  not  less 
than  56  inches.  The  use  of  bicycles  on  rural  routes  is  not 
permitted, 

4,  In  all  cases  where  a  rural  carrier  is  absent  from  duty, 
he  shall  see  that  the  substitute  canier  is  provided  with 
suitable  equipment  to  travel  the  route,  and  if  the  substi- 
32657°— 21 9 


130  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

tute  uses  the  regular  carrier's  equipment,  the  carrier  may 
make  a  reasonable  charge  therefor. 

5.  Rural  carriers  shall  not  display  advertising  matter 
of  any  character  upon  their  equipments. 

Sec.  812.  Equipment. — General  equipment  for  rural 
delivery  service,  such  as  carriers'  furniture,  satchels, 
straps,  record  books,  vouchers,  report  and  other  official 
blanks,  etc.,  when  not  otherwise  provided  will  be  fur- 
nished upon  requisitions  of  postmasters. 

2.  Postmasters  shall  see  that  the  rural  carriers  attached 
to  their  offices  are  constantly  supplied  with,  and  regularly 
take  over  their  routes,  all  necessary  service  books  and 
blanks  and  every  article  of  equipment  required  in  the 
performance  of  their  official  duties. 

3.  Rural  carriers  on  receiving  equipment  shall  give 
dated  and  itemized  receipts  therefor,  specifying  the  quan- 
tity and  condition  of  articles  received.  These  receipts 
shall  be  filed  and  preserved  as  vouchers  by  postmasters. 

4.  All  satchels,  straps,  record  books,  official  blanks, 
etc.,  furnished  by  the  department  for  carriers'  use,  shall 
be  carefully  preserved  and  always  deposited  in  the  post 
offices  or  rural  stations  when  carriers  are  off  duty,  except 
in  cases  of  extreme  emergency. 

5.  When  carriers'  satchels  or  other  articles  of  equipment 
are  in  bad  condition  the  facts  shall  be  reported  promptly 
to  the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster  General,  Division  of 
Equipment  and  Supplies.  Satchels  shall  not  be  repaired 
by  carriers. 

6.  When  a  rural  carrier  leaves  the  service  he  shall 
satisfactorily  account  for  and  return  to  the  postmaster,  or 
some  duly  authorized  person,  every  article  of  the  official 


BUBAL    MAIL    SEBVICE.  131 

equipment,  including  all  master  keys  and  keys  to  patrons' 
boxes. 

7.  Postmasters  shall  not  make  expenditures  on  account 
of  the  rural  service  for  the  purchase  or  repair  of  service 
equipment,  or  for  any  other  purpose,  without  specific 
authorization  from  the  department. 

Sec.  813.  Stamp  supplies. — While  engaged  in  the  service 
of  rural  routes  carriers  shall  carry  for  sale  a  stock  of  post- 
age stamps,  postal  cards,  stamped  envelopes,  newspaper 
wrappers,  and  other  postal  supplies  of  this  nature,  to  the 
value  of  $5  or  more,  sufficient  to  meet  the  demands  of 
piu-chasers.     (See  sec.  342.) 

2.  Carriers  shall  not  accept  checks  in  payment  for  postal 
supplies  purchased  of  them. 

3.  Rural  carriers  shall  turn  in  to  postmasters  or  to  clerks 
in  charge  of  rural  stations,  each  day,  the  exact  amount  of 
money  received  during  the  day  from  the  sale  of  stamp  sup- 
plies. The  amount  must  in  each  case  equal  the  difference 
between  the  value  of  stamp  supplies  on  hand  when  the 
carrier  starts  out  and  when  he  returns  and  include  the 
overplus  from  sales  of  stamped  envelopes  and  wrappers. 

Sec.  814.  Rural  stations. — Rural  stations  are  established 
and  maintained  in  connection  with  rural-delivery  service 
when  considered  necessary  to  facilitate  the  transaction  of 
postal  business  in  communities  where  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  people  would  be  seriously  inconvenienced  if  com- 
pelled to  transact  business  with  the  rural  carrier  only,  or 
at  such  points  where  rural  carriers  are  required  to  exchange 
mails  and  it  is  deemed  inadvisable  to  establish  post  offices. 

2.  A  rural  station  shall  be  tributary  to  a  post  office  from 
which  rural-delivery  service  emanates  and  shall   be  in 


132  POSTAL   LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

charge  of  a  clerk  subordinate  to  and  under  the  control  of 
the  postmaster  of  such  office,  who  shall  frequently  visit 
and  inspect  the  station  with  a  \dew  to  correcting  irregu- 
larities and  seeing  that  it  is  conducted  properly, 

3.  Clerks  in  charge  of  rural  stations  are  appointed  by 
the  Postmaster  General  at  an  annual  compensation  fixed 
by  him  and  are  required  to  furnish  bonds  in  a  designated 
sum.  The  person  appointed  shall  provide  suitable  quar- 
ters in  which  the  business  of  the  station  can  be  transacted. 

Sec.  815.  Receipt  and  dispatch  of  mails  at  rural  sta- 
tions.— ^Mail  shall  be  supplied  to  rural  stations  by  rural 
carriers  unless  otherwise  specifically  authorized.  Mail 
for  delivery  at  a  rural  station  or  for  a  rural  route  emanating 
therefrom  shall  be  properly  separated  at  the  distributing 
office,  tied  in  bundles,  and  transported  in  the  carrier's 
satchel  to  the  station,  where  it  shall  be  delivered  to  the 
clerk  in  charge.  Dispatch  of  mail  from  rural  stations  shall 
be  made  in  the  same  manner. 

Sec.  816.  Stations  open. — Rural  stations  shall  be  kept 
open  during  ordinary  business  hours  each  week  day,  ex- 
cept on  holidays  when  service  on  routes  emanating  there- 
from is  not  required,  and  shall  invariably  be  open  in  ample 
time  to  permit  the  rural  carriers  to  work  their  mail,  and 
shall  be  open  when  the  rural  carriers  return  from  their 
routes,  in  order  to  permit  them  to  deposit  collections  and 
attend  to  other  duties. 

Sec.  817.  Functions  of  rural  stations. — ^At  rural  stations 
mail  shall  be  dispatched,  received,  and  delivered,  money 
orders  issued,  mail  registered,  and  stamp  supplies  sold. 

Sec.  818.  Handling  of  mail  matter  at  rural  stations. — 
Mail  addressed  to  a  rural  station  shall  be  retained  there 


KURAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  133 

to  be  called  for,  unless  the  addressee  is  a  patron  of  a  niral 
route  starting  from  such  station,  or  of  a  route  contiguous 
thereto,  in  which  case  the  mail  shall  be  delivered  in  the 
patron's  box  by  the  carrier  of  the  route.  The  usual  regis- 
try notices  for  registered  mail  addressed  to  a  rural  station 
for  deliver}^  should  be  issued  in  accordance  with  the  re- 
quirements of  section  933, 

Sec.  819.  Canceling  of  stamps  by  clerks  in  charge. — 
Postage  on  all  mail  deposited  at  a  rural  station  for  delivery 
or  dispatch,  whether  by  rural  carrier  or  local  patrons,  shall 
be  canceled  by  the  clerk  in  charge,  who  shall  make  report 
thereof  to  the  postmaster  at  the  distributing  office. 

Sec.  820.  Correspondence  at  rural  stations. — Clerks  in 
charge  of  rural  stations  shall  conduct  all  official  corre- 
spondence with  the  postmasters  at  the  offices  to  which  tlie 
stations  are  attached,  make  remittances  and  accountings 
to  them,  and  make  requisitions  on  them  for  all  necessary 
supplies. 

Sec.  821.  Supplies  for  rural  stations. — Postmasters  at 
offices  to  which  rural  stations  are  tributary  shall  furnish 
the  clerks  in  charge  of  such  stations  Tvith  postage  stamps, 
stamp  books,  stamped  envelopes,  postal  cards,  registry 
supplies,  etc.,  in  sufficient  quantities  to  meet  their  de- 
mands for  which  the  postmaster  shall  take  proper  receipts. 

2.  ^\Tien  clerks  in  charge  of  rural  stations  issue  stamp 
supplies  to  rural  carriers  they  shall  require  receipts  therefor 
similar  in  form  to  those  required  by  postmasters  in  such 
cases. 

Sec.  822.  Monthly  reports  at  rural  stations. — ^Accurate 
detailed  accounts  of  business  transacted  at  rural  stations 
shall  be  kept  by  the  clerks  in  charge  and  reports  rendered 


134  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

monthly  to  the  postmastera  of  the  offices  to  which  they  are 

attached. 

Sec.  823.  Clerks  in  charge  to  exercise  supervision  over 
carriers. — Clerks  in  charge  of  rural  stations  shall  exercise 
supervision  over  rural  carriers  on  routes  emanating  from 
their  stations,  shall  receive  and  certify  to  the  correctness 
of  the  required  reports,  and  transmit  them  to  the  post- 
masters at  the  offices  to  which  they  are  attached. 

Sec.  824.  Rural  mail  boxes. — On  and  after  July  1, 
1917,  persons  desiring  box  delivery  and  collection  service 
on  star  or  rural  routes  shall  provide  and  erect,  at  their 
own  expense,  boxes  conforming  in  every  respect  to  the 
department's  specifications  and  officially  approved. 

2.  Two  standard  sizes  have  been  designed  and  adopted: 

No.  1 — IS^  inches  long,  6^  inches  wide,  7^  inches  high; 
for  letters  and  ordinary  mail. 

No.  2 — 23^  inches  long,  11  inches  wide,  14  inches  high; 
for  all  mail,  including  parcel  post. 

Copies  of  specifications  and  requirements  to  be  followed 
in  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  these  boxes  may  be  ob- 
tained on  application  to  the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster 
General,  Division  of  Equipment  and  Supplies. 

Patrons  may  use  either  size,  as  preferred,  and  will  not 
be  required  to  discard  boxes  in  use  July  1,  1916,  while 
they  remain  serviceable.  Such  an  authorized  box,  how- 
ever, may  be  transferred  by  the  owner  to  another  route 
when  he  moves,  or  it  may  be  continued  in  use  on  the  old 
site  by  a  person  moving  into  the  place  occupied  by  the 
original  purchaser,  but  a  box  which  does  not  conform  to 
the  latest  specifications,  obtained  by  one  patron  from  an- 
other, may  not  be  erected  and  used  by  the  former  at  a 
different  location. 


BUBAL   MAIL   SEBVICE.  135 

Sec.  825.  Approval  of  boxes. — Individuals,  firms,  or  com- 
panies proposing  to  manufacture  rural-delivery  mail 
boxes  for  sale  should  submit  a  sample  (full  size)  of  such 
box,  and  of  the  material  of  which  it  is  constructed ,  to  the 
Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster  General,  Division  of  Equip- 
ment and  Supplies,  for  approval.  If  approved,  the  manu- 
facture and  sale  of  the  box  will  be  authorized  on  condition 
that  the  manufacturer  shall  emboss  or  stamp  in  a  con- 
spicuous place  on  each  such  box  the  words  "Approved 
by  the  Postmaster  General."  The  name  of  the  manufac- 
turer shall  also  be  placed  inconspicuously  on  each  box. 

2.  Each  box  produced  by  the  authorized  manufacturers 
will  be  inspected  before  shipment  by  the  postmaster  at 
the  place  of  manufacture,  and  no  box  may  be  erected 
unless  it  bears  the  approval  of  such  postmaster  stamped 
on  the  inside  of  the  box. 

3.  Authorized  manufacturers  are  not  prohibited  from 
employing  agents  throughout  the  country  to  promote 
the  sale  of  their  boxes.  But,  regardless  of  any  contracts 
or  arrangements  between  manufacturers  and  agents, 
patrons  may  purchase  boxes  direct  from  manufacturers 
at  authorized  prices,  patrons  paying  cost  of  transportation. 
Information  as  to  persons  or  concerns  authorized  to  sell 
boxes  and  the  prices  at  which  they  are  sold  may  be  ob- 
tained on  application  to  the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster 
General,  Division  of  Rural  Mails. 

Sec.  826,  Inscriptions  on  boxes. — The  following  inscrip- 
tions shall  be  placed  on  rural  mail  boxes,  other  inscriptions 
not  being  permitted: 

(a)  Name  of  owner. 

(b)  Name  and  address  of  manufacturer,  inconspicuously 
placed. 


136  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

(c)  The  -words  "Approved  by  the  Postmaster  General," 
"U.  S.  Mail." 

Sec.  827.  Erection  of  boxes. — Each  box  shall,  if  practi- 
cable, be  erected  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the  road 
regularly  traveled  by  a  rural  carrier  and  in  such  position 
as  to  be  easily  and  safely  accessible  for  the  delivery  and 
collection  of  mail  by  the  carrier  without  leaving  his 
conveyance. 

It  is  required  by  the  department  when,  because  of 
traffic  conditions,  to  travel  from  side  to  side  of  the  road 
would  endanger  the  life  of  the  carrier  and  the  safety  of 
the  mails,  or  would  be  in  violation  of  state  or  local  ordi- 
nances in  respect  to  the  use  of  highways,  that  all  boxes 
be  erected  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the  road  as  regularly 
traveled  by  the  carrier.  It  is  expected  that  postmasters 
will  endeavor  to  have  boxes  placed  in  conformity  with  this 
requirement,  full  report  to  be  made  to  the  Division  of 
Rural  Mails  of  instances  in  which  patrons  fail  or  refuse  to 
comply  with  reasonable  requests  for  relocation  of  boxes. 

2.  Patrons  shall,  as  far  as  practicable,  keep  clear  the 
approach-OS  to  their  boxes  by  promptly  removing  obstruc- 
tions which  may  render  difficult  or  impossible  the  delivery 
of  mail  by  the  carrier. 

Sec.  828.  Five  families  may  use  same  box. — More 
than  one  family,  but  not  more  than  five  families,  may  use 
the  same  box,  provided  that  written  notice  of  agreement, 
signed  by  the  respective  heads  of  families  or  individuals 
desiring  to  join  in  the  use  of  such  box,  shall  be  filed  with 
the  postmaster  at  the  distributing  office. 

Sec.  829.  Withdrawal  of  service. — Service  shall  not  be 
withdrawn  from  any  box  owner  by  a  postmaster  or  carrier 
without  specific  authority  of  the  department. 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  137 

Sec.  830.  Insecure  or  badly  located  boxes. — Rural  car- 
riers shall  make  report  to  postmasters  of  any  boxes  erected 
which  do  not  conform  to  the  regTilations,  or  which  are  im- 
properly erected.  The  postmaster  shall  notify  the  patron 
maintaining  such  box  to  remedy  the  defects,  and  if  after 
reasonable  time  any  patron  fails  to  do  so,  the  postmaster 
shall  make  report  thereof  to  the  Fom-th  Assistant  Post- 
master General,  Division  of  Rural  Mails,  giving  the  name 
of  the  patron  and  a  statement  as  to  what  is  required  in  con- 
nection with  the  box. 

Sec.  831.  Manufacture  or  sale  of  boxes  by  employees 
forbidden. — Officials  and  employees  of  the  Post  Office 
Department  and  postal  service  shall  not  act  as  agents  for 
manufacturers  of  rural  mail  boxes  and  shall  not  be  inter- 
ested, directly  or  indirectly,  in  the  manufacture  or  sale  of 
any  rural  mail  box.  A  postmaster  may,  however,  order, 
without  compensation  or  profit  to  himself,  on  request  of  a 
patron  or  prospective  patron,  any  regulation  box  selected 
by  him. 

Sec.  832.  Depredations  to  be  reported.  Cases  of  depre- 
dations on  or  interference  with  rural  mail  boxes  or  their 
contents  shall  be  promptly  reported  by  the  postmaster 
of  the  distributing  office  to  the  chief  inspector  and  to  the 
post-office  inspector  in  charge  of  the  division  where  such 
depredations  occur. 

See  sec.  1699  relative  to  injuries  to  mail  boxes. 

Sec.  833.  Lists  of  regulation  boxes. — Lists  of  approved 
boxes  are  furnished  by  the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster 
General  to  the  postmaster  at  each  rural-delivery  office,  who 
shall  retain  a  copy  in  the  files  of  his  office  and  post  a  copy 


138  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

on  the  bulietin  board  in  the  post-office  lobby  for  the  infor- 
mation of  the  public. 

Sec.  834.  Locks  to  boxes. — The  use  of  locks  on  boxes  is 
not  required,  but  is  considered  advisable  as  a  measure  of 
protection.  If  patrons  provide  locks,  carriers  shall  accept 
keys  and  unlock  and  lock  boxes  when  serving  them.  To 
facilitate  the  carriers'  work  patrons  should,  as  far  as  prac- 
ticable, adopt  locks  for  each  route  of  such  pattern  that  a 
master  key  may  be  provided  the  carrier  for  use  in  unlock- 
ing the  boxes. 

Sec.  835.  Giving  out  of  master  keys. — Master  keys  to 
locks  on  rural  mail  boxes  intended  for  carriers 'use  should 
be  delivered  only  to  postmasters,  who  will  place  them 
in  the  hands  of  the  carrier.  Carriers  are  required  to 
protect  from  misuse,  loss,  or  destruction  master  and 
other  keys  to  patrons'  boxes.  The  loss  of  a  key  by  rural 
carrier  shall  be  promptly  reported  to  the  postmaster,  who 
shall  require  the  carrier  to  replace  the  key  at  his  own 
expense. 

Sec.  837.  Keport  required  regarding  new  routes. — Box 
numbers  shall  not  be  assigned  until  the  expiration  of  two 
months  from  the  date  of  installation  of  new  service.  If 
at  that  time  75  per  cent  of  the  heads  of  families  residing 
on  the  route  have  not  erected  boxes  the  postmaster  shall 
report  that  fact  to  the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster  Gen- 
eral, Division  of  Rural  Mails,  stating  how  many  boxes 
have  been  erected. 

Sec.  839.  Assignment  of  box  numbers. — Each  mail 
box  on  a  rural-delivery  route  shall  have  a  number  assigned 
to  it  beginning  with  No.  1  for  the  first  box  reached  by  the 
carrier  after  leaving  the  office,  succeeding  boxes  to  be 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  139 

numbered  in  regular  sequence  in  the  order  reached  by 
the  carrier  in.  traveling  over  the  route  in  accordance  vdth 
the  official  description. 

2.  A  box  served  by  more  than  one  route  shall  be  given 
a  number  in  the  regular  order  for  each  route. 

3.  The  box  numbers  so  assigned  shall  be  entered  in 
the  carrier's  roster  book  as  required  by  section  754  of  the 
Regulations,  but  shall  not  be  inscribed  upon  the  boxes 
hereafter  erected. 

Sec.  840.  Notification  of  assignment  of  numbers  to 
patrons. — When  the  assignment  of  box  numbers  on  a 
route  is  completed,  the  postmaster  shall  furnish  each  box 
owner  with  the  official  number  of  his  box  with  request  that 
he  advise  his  correspondents  to  include  in  his  address  the 
number  of  the  rural  route  and  his  box  number. 

Sec.  841.  Numbering  of  boxes  subsequently  erected. — 
New  boxes  erected  between  those  already  numbered 
shall  be  given  any  regular  numbers  which  may  have 
been  vacated,  and  which  would  appear  in  order  of  se- 
quence, otherwise  new  boxes  shall  be  designated  in  the 
following  manner:  Those  between  the  carrier's  starting 
point  and  box  No.  1,  as  A,  B,  C,  etc.;  those  between 
Nos.  1  and  2,  as  1-A,  1-B,  etc.,  and  so  on  throughout  the 
route. 

Sec.  842.  United  States  Collection  boxes  on  rural 
routes. — United  States  collection  boxes  are  supplied  by 
the  department  for  use  in  the  rural-delivery  service,  to 
be  erected  only  at  points  where,  after  proper  investiga- 
tion, it  is  ascertained  that  they  are  necessary  for  the 
proper  and  convenient  handling  of  the  mail,  such  as  at 
junction  points  of  two  or  more  routes,  as  a  means  for 


140  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

effecting  exchange  of  mail  by  carriers,  or  as  a  depository 
for  mail  for  dispatch  in  communities  where  there  are  no 
post  offices.  After  such  boxes  have  been  erected  at 
designated  points  in  accordance  with  official  instructions 
they  shall  not  be  removed  therefrom  except  by  order  of 
the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster  General. 

2.  Postmasters  shall  from  time  to  time  take  count  of 
the  amount  of  mail  matter  taken  by  carriers  from  United 
States  collection  boxes,  and  if  it  shall  appear  that  the 
maintenance  of  a  box  is  no  longer  necessary  they  shall 
BO  report  to  the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster  General, 
Division  of  Rural  Mails. 

3.  A  record  shall  be  kept  in  the  distributing  offices  of 
all  United  States  collection  boxes  erected  on  rural-delivery 
routes,  giving  the  location  thereof,  and  full  information 
concerning  exchange  through  them. 

Sec.  843.  Damages  to  collection  boxes. — When  a 
United  States  collection  box  becomes  broken,  or  is  in 
bad  condition,  or  the  lock  is  out  of  order,  the  carrier  on 
the  route  shall  notify  the  postmaster,  who  shall  innnedi- 
ately  communicate  the  facts  to  the  Fourth  Assistant 
Postmaster  General,  Division  of  Equipment  and  Supplies. 

2.  All  cases  of  depredation  upon  or  interference  with 
United  States  collection  boxes  or  their  contents  shall  be 
promptly  reported  by  carriers  to  postmasters,  and  by 
postmasters  to  the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster  General, 
Division  of  Rural  Mails,  and  to  the  inspector  in  charge 
of  the  division  in  which  the  depredations  occurred,  giving 
detailed  statements  of  the  facts  and  the  names  of  all  sus- 
pected peraons. 


KUEAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  141 

Sec.  844.  Keys. — Keys  to  United  States  collection  boxes 
shall  be  furnished  to  ruml  carriers  by  postmasters  at  dis- 
tributing offices.  For  each  key  delivered  to  a  carrier  the 
postmaster  shall  take  a  separate  receipt,  on  which  shall  be 
indicated  the  designative  number  of  the  key  and  date  of  its 
delivery  to  the  carrier. 

2.  Eveiy  carrier  having  possession  of  a  United  States 
collection  box  key,  shall  when  on  duty,  wear  it  securely 
attached  to  his  clothing  by  the  chain.  When  off  duty  the 
key  must  be  deposited  in  the  distributing  office  with  the 
postmaster,  or  person  designated  by  him,  for  safe-keeping, 
and  shall  never  be  passed  over  to,  handled,  or  examined 
by  any  person  not  a  sworn  officer  of  the  postal  service,  nor 
be  left  where  there  is  danger  of  losmg  it  or  exposing  it  to 
theft.  These  keys  shall  not  be  tampered  with  nor  shall 
any  attempt  be  made  to  repair  or  alter  them.  A  violation 
of  this  rule,  or  the  loss  of  a  key,  will  be  considered  sufficient 
cause  for  removal  of  a  carrier. 

3.  When  a  carrier  loses  or  breaks  a  key  to  a  United  States 
collection  box  the  fact  shall  be  immediately  reported  by 
the  postmaster  to  the  Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster  General, 
Division  of  Rural  Mails,  giving  a  full  statement  of  the  cir- 
cumstances and  the  number  of  the  key. 

Sec.  877.  Matter  to  be  registered. — Postmasters  shall 
register  all  mailable  matter  properly  prepared  and  offered 
for  that  purpose  except  domestic  matter  ®f  the  fourth  class. 
(See  sees.  488  and  489.) 

2.  Money  seiit  at  the  first-class  rate  and  other  valuable 
matter  of  the  first,  second,  and  third  classes  sent  by  mail 
should  be  registered. 


142  POSTAL  LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

Sec.  879.  Begistrationfee. — The  fee  on  registered  mat- 
ter, domestic  or  foreign,  shall  be  10  cents  in  addition  to  the 
postage  for  each  letter  or  parcel,  both  to  be  fully  prepaid 
by  stamps  affixed. 

2.  Two  or  more  letters  or  parcels  addressed  to,  or  in- 
tended for,  the  same  person,  unless  inclosed  in  one  envel- 
ope or  wrapper,  shall  not  be  tied  or  otherwise  fastened 
together  and  registered  as  one. 

Sec.  881.  Preparation  of  matter  for  registration. — Post- 
masters and  other  postal  employees,  before  receiving  mat- 
ter for  registration,  shall  require  it  to  be  legibly  and  cor- 
rectly addressed,  to  bear  the  name  and  address  of  the 
sender,  the  necessary  stamps  to  pay  postage  and  fee,  and, 
if  a  return  receipt  is  requested,  the  words  ''Receipt 
desired." 

See  sec.  1078,  as  to  carrier  registrations. 

2.  Letters  and  other  first-class  matter  shall  be  placed  in 
an  envelope  or  wrapper,  sealed,  and  strong  enough  safely 
to  carry  them.  An  unsealed  parcel  containing  first-class 
matter  shall  not  be  accepted  for  registration  until  it  has 
been  sealed.  If  the  sender  refuses  to  seal  a  domestic  par- 
cel containing  other  than  first-class  matter,  on  which  post- 
age is  prepaid  at  the  first-class  rate,  its  acceptance  for  regis- 
tration as  first-class  mail  shall  be  declined;  but  it  may  be 
accepted  for  registration  as  second  or  third  class  mail,  ac- 
cording to  its  nature .  In  such  case  the  cover  of  the  parcel 
and  the  sender's  registration  receipt  should  show  the  class 
of  matter  as  accepted. 

3.  The  envelopes  or  other  covers  for  coin  or  heavy 
articles  should  be  as  strong  at  least  as  the  envelopes  pro- 
vided by  the  Post  Office  Department  for  making  remit- 


BUBAL    MAIL    SEEVICE.  143 

tances  of  postal  and  money-order  funds.  Coin  in  bulk,  or 
heavy  articles  of  medium  or  large  size,  when  sent  in  regis- 
tered letters,  shall  be  sewed  in  canvas  or  material  of  equal 
sfe-ength,  then  wrapped  in  strong  paper  and  securely  sealed. 
No  letter  which  bears  the  appearance  of  having  been 
opened  and  resealed  should  be  accepted  for  registration. 

See  sec.  948,  as  to  responsibility  for  loss  of  registered  mail. 

4.  Matter  indefinitely  addressed,  or  addressed  to  ficti- 
tious names,  to  initials,  or  to  box  numbers  simply,  shall 
not  be  accepted  for  registration .  This  applies  to  the  names 
and  addresses  of  senders  as  well  as  addressees. 

Sec.  931.  Return  receipt. — "WTienever  the  sender  shall  so  request,  a 
receipt  shall  be  taken  on  the  delivery  of  any  registered  mail  matter, 
showing  to  whom  and  when  the  same  was  delivered,  which  receipt  shall 
be  returned  to  the  sender,  and  be  received  in  the  courts  as  prima  facie 
evidence  of  such  delivery. 

2.  Both  the  delivery  book  and  the  return  receipt,  if 
requested,  shall  be  signed  by  the  person  accepting  deliv- 
ery, and  they  shall  show  the  actual  date  of  delivery,  the 
person  receipting  for  the  article  being  requested  to  write 
or  stamp  such  date  on  the  registry  return-receipt  card. 
If  this  request  is  not  complied  with,  the  postal  employee 
shall  write  or  stamp  such  date  on  the  card .  When  the  quan- 
tity of  registered  mail  justifies,  a  stamped  signature  show- 
ing the  names  of  both  the  addressee  and  his  agent  may  be 
authorized  by  the  Third  Assistant  Postmaster  General, 
proAdded  the  addressee  assumes  responsibility  for  any 
improper  use  of  the  stamp. 

3.  When  registered  mail  is  signed  for  by  an  authorized 
agent  of  the  addressee  the  names  of  both  the  addressee  and 
agent  should  appear  on  the  card.    The  return  receipt, 


144  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

after  being  properly  signed  and  postmarked,  shall  be 
promptly  mailed  to  the  sender  of  the  article. 

4.  If  no  registry  return  receipt  accompanies  a  registered 
article  bearing  the  indorsement  ''Receipt  desired,"  or 
similar  words,  the  delivering  postmaster,  or  other  postal 
employee,  shall  prepare  one  and  treat  it  as  though  it  had 
accompanied  the  article.  If  a  domestic  registered  article 
does  not  bear  the  indorsement  mentioned,  but  is  accom- 
panied with  a  properly  addressed  return-receipt  card,  a 
receipt  should  be  obtained  thereon  and  the  card  mailed  to 
the  sender. 

Sec,  935.  Delivery  of  registered  matter. — Registered 
mail  the  delivery  of  which  has  not  been  restricted  by  the 
sender  or  addressee  may  be  delivered — 

(a)  To  the  addressee, 

(6)  To  a  person  authorized  by  the  addressee  in  writing 
to  receive  it. 

(c)  To  such  person  other  than  the  addressee  as  the 
sender,  after  mailing,  directs  in  a  written  order  verified 
by  the  mailing  postmaster. 

(d)  To  any  responsible  person  to  whom  the  addressee's 
ordinary  mail  is  customarily  delivered;  except  that  in  the 
absence  of  a  written  order  from  the  sender  or  addressee, 
mail  addressed  to  a  guest  at  a  hotel,  occupant  of  an  apart- 
ment house,  or  the  like,  should  not  be  delivered  to  the 
proprietor,  manager,  or  clerk,  unless  addressed  in  his  care 
or  in  care  of  the  hotel  or  house. 

(e)  As  if  addressed  to  the  person,  firm,  corporation, 
association,  or  institution  in  whose  care  it  is  addressed. 

See  special  instructions  in  carrier's  registry  delivery  book,  Form  1560. 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  145 

2.  Identification  shall  always  be  requii-ed  if  the  appli- 
cant for  registered  mail  is  unknown.  He  shall  not  be 
allowed  even  to  examine  it  until  his  identity  as  a  person 
entitled  to  receive  it  is  established,  and  when  identified 
as  such,  shall  not  be  permitted  to  open  the  envelope  or 
wrapper  until  the  mail  has  been  delivered  and  the  neces- 
sary receipts  obtained.  In  case  of  doubt  as  to  the  suffi- 
ciency of  the  evidence  of  identity  offered,  instructions 
should  be  obtained  from  the  Third  Assistant  Postmaster 
General,  Division  of  Registered  Mails. 

3.  The  sender  of  registered  mail  may  restrict  its  delivery 
by  indorsement  thereon. 

(a)  Mail  indorsed  "Deliver  to  addressee  or  order,"  or 
with  words  of  similar  import,  shall  not  be  delivered  ex- 
cept to  the  addressee  or  on  his  written  order. 

(6)  Mail  indorsed  "Deliver  to  addressee  only,"  or  with 
words  of  similar  import,  shall  not  be  delivered  to  any  per- 
son except  the  addressee,  not  even  on  his  written  order; 
if  personal  delivery  can  not  be  made,  the  mail  shall  be 
treated  as  undeiiverable.  Mail  so  indorsed,  addressed  to 
a  firm,  corporation,  institution,  or  the  like,  may  be  deliv- 
ered to  the  person  duly  authorized  by  the  addressee  in 
writing  to  receive  registered  mail  so  addressed.  The  word 
"Personal"  is  not  to  be  construed  as  an  indorsement  so 
restricting  delivery.  Directions  to  deliver  only  to  the 
addressee  can  not  be  observed  when  registered  mail  is 
addressed  to  the  President  or  Vice  President  of  the  United 
States,  heads  of  departments  or  bureaus  of  the  Govern- 
ment, Senators  or  Representatives  in  Congress,  governors 
of  States  or  Territories,  or  to  the  diplomatic  representa- 
32657°— 21 10 


146  POSTAL   LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

tives  of  Govemments.  Mail  so  addressed  when  marked 
"Deliver  to  addressee  only,"  or  with,  words  of  similar 
import,  will  be  delivered  to  the  addressee  or  on  his  written 
order,  and  senders  of  such  mail  so  indorsed  should  be 
advised  accordingly. 

4.  The  addressee  of  registered  mail  may  restrict  its  de- 
livery by  filing  at  the  post  office  of  address  directions  in 
writing  stating  to  whom  deliver^'  may  be  made,  and  such 
directions  must  be  strictly  observ^ed. 

5.  No  exception  shall  be  made  to  the  rules  governing  the 
delivery  of  registered  mail  because  of  relationship  of  any 
nature  between  the  addressee  and  any  person  claiming 
the  mail. 

6.  If  the  addressee  is  dead  or  insane,  delivery  may  be 
made  to  his  legal  representative.     (See  sees.  938  and  939.) 

7.  Registered  mail  addressed  to  a  minor  living  with  or 
under  the  control  of  his  parents,  or  dependent  on  them  for 
support,  or  under  control  of  a  guardian,  is  subject  to  the 
parents'  or  guardian's  control  unless  it  be  indorsed  for  per- 
sonal delivery,  when  paragraph  3  applies.  In  such  cases, 
if  delivery  be  forbidden  by  parents  or  guardian,  the  mail 
shall  be  so  indorsed,  and  treated  as  undeliverable. 

8.  Registered  mail,  not  of  obAdously  personal  nature, 
addressed  to  a  former  public  officer  or  to  a  former  officer  or 
employee  of  a  firm,  corporation,  association,  or  institution, 
by  his  name  and  former  title,  should  be  delivered  as  if  ad- 
dressed to  the  person  holding  the  title  or  performing  the 
duties  of  the  office.  If  the  person  named  in  the  addi'ess 
objects  to  such  delivery,  the  person  to  whom  delivery  is 
authorized  by  this  section  should  be  requii'ed  to  open  the 


KUEAL   MAIL   SERVICE.  147 

mail  in  the  presence  of  the  postmaster,  and,  if  desired,  of 
the  other  claimant,  or  of  their  representatives,  in  order  to 
ascertain  for  whom  it  is  intended.  If  after  the  mail  ia 
opened  there  remains  a  doubt  as  to  the  proper  delivery, 
the  postmaster  should  require  its  return  to  him,  ascertain 
the  intention  of  the  sender  through  the  mailing  postmaster, 
and  deliver  the  mail  accordingly.  If  the  person  to  whom 
the  delivery  is  authorized  by  this  section  will  not  consent 
to  such  an  arrangement,  the  postmaster  should  retain  the 
mail  and  follow  the  same  course. 

***** 

10.  Registered  letters  from  the  Bureau  of  Pensions  at 
Washington,  D.  C,  addressed  to  a  pensioner,  a  claimant 
for  pension,  or  the  payee  of  a  pension,  shall  be  delivered  in 
accordance  with  the  requirements  of  section  608. 

11.  Postmasters  shall  exercise  discretion  in  the  delivery 
of  registered  mail.  If  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  the 
person  or  institution  to  whom  delivery  of  registered  mail 
may  be  made  is  not  such  a  responsible  person  or  institution 
as  would  care  for  and  properly  dispose  of  it,  delivery  should 
not  be  made  except  to  the  addressee  or  person  in  whose 
care  it  is  addressed,  or  to  a  representative  of  the  addressee 
or  person  in  whose  care  it  is  addressed  autnorized  in  writing 
to  receive  it,  or  in  compliance  with  a  written  order  from 
the  sender  verified  by  the  postmaster  at  the  office  of 
mailing. 

12.  Registered  mail  received  for  delivery  which  has 
been  erroneously  accepted  for  registration  (sec.  881,  par. 
4),  when  addressed  simply  to  a  box  (post-office  or  rural) 
nimiber,  street  number,  to  initials  or  fictitious  names,  shall 


148  POSTAL  LAWS   AND   REGULATIONS. 

be  considered  imdeliverable  and  treated  in  accordance 
with  section  958. 

*  *  *  *  * 

Note.— In  the  absence  of  knowledge  to  the  contrary  the  following 
should  be  regarded  as  responsible  persons  within  the  meaning  of  para- 
graph 1  (d)  of  this  section:  Adult  members  of  the  addressee's  family;  his 
employees  in  a  clerical  or  supervisory  capacity;  the  proprietor  or  mana- 
ger of  a  private  lodging  house  in  which  he  resides. 

The  following  should  not  be  regarded  as  responsible,  and  no  mail  ad- 
dressed to  others  should  be  delivered  to  them  unless  they  are  authorized 
in  writing  by  the  addressee  to  receive  it:  Minors;  janitors;  laborers; 
messengers;  elevator  boys;  house  servants. 

Sec.  338.  Disposition  of  matter  when  addressee  is 
dead. — Registered  mail  for  a  deceased  addressee  may  be 
delivered  to  his  legal  representative.  If  none,  it  shall  be 
returned  to  the  sender  with  reason  indorsed  thereon,  unless 
he,  through  the  mailing  postmaster,  directs  delivery  to 
another  person.  If  there  is  no  legal  representative  and  the 
article  is  claimed  by  a  relative  of  the  deceased  addressee, 
such  relative  may  be  furnished  with  the  name  and  address 
of  sender. 

Sec.  940.  Responsibility. — Postmasters  and  other  postal 
employees  will  be  held  j^ersonally  responsible  by  the  Post 
Office  Department  for  the  wrong  delivery,  depredation 
upon,  or  loss  of  any  registered  letter  or  parcel  is  such  wrong 
delivery,  depredation,  or  loss  be  due  to  negligence  or  dis- 
regard of  the  regulations.     (See  sees.  881,  900,  and  935.) 

Sec.  942.  Forwarding  registered  matter. — ^All  registered 
matter,  except  that  which  has  once  been  properly  deliv- 
ered, maybe  forwarded  from  one  post  office  to  another,  with- 
out additional  charge  for  registry  fee,  on  payment  of  the 
charges,  if  any,  for  transmitting  the  forwarding  request — 

(a)  Upon  the  written  order  of  any  person  to  whom  the 
matter  is  deliverable  at  the  office  of  address. 


BUBAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  149 

(6)  If  delivery  is  restricted,  upon  the  written  order  of 
any  person  to  whom  it  would  be  deliverable  in  the  absence 
of  the  restriction. 

(c)  Upon  the  written  order  of  the  sender  or  addressee 
verified  by  the  postmaster  who  Bends  the  request. 

(d)  Upon  the  telegraphic  request  from  a  postmaster 
based  on  the  verified  written  order  of  the  sender  or 
addressee. 

(e)  In  cases  where  the  postmaster  is  satisfied  that  no 
fraud  is  intended,  upon  a  written  or  telegraphic  order 

received  direct  from  the  sender  or  addressee. 

*  *  *  *  ^fr 

Sec.  944.  Forwarding  and  return  after  delivery. — ^A  regis- 
tered article  properly  delivered  shall  not  be  again  received 
in  the  registered  mails  without  prepayment  of  a  new  regis- 
try fee. 

2.  If  reregistered  for  foi-warding  or  return,  the  article  and 
the  new  registration  receipt  shall  bear  the  name  and  address 
of  the  person  requesting  the  reregistration  as  those  of  the 
sender,  and  be  marked  ''Reregistered  after  delivery." 

3.  A  letter  offered  for  reregistration  bearing  evidence  of 
having  been  opened  and  resealed,  or  tampered  with,  or 
which  is  otherwise  in  bad  order,  shall  be  refused  until  reen- 

veloped  by  the  sender. 

*  *  *  *  * 

Sec.  973.  Limit  of  indemnity. — In  case  of  the  injury  or 
loss  of  domestic  registered  mail  in  the  Postal  Service,  in- 
demnity will  be  paid  to  the  sender,  or  at  the  request  of  the 
sender  to  such  interested  person  as  the  sender  may  desig- 
nate, for  the  value  thereof,  not  exceeding  $50  in  any  one 
case  of  first-class  matter,  and  not  exceeding  $25  in  any  one 
case  of  third-class  matter.    Whenever  a  false,  fictitious, 


150  POSTAL    LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

01  fraudulent  value  is  knowingly  and  willfully  stated,  the 
department  reserves  the  right,  without  any  refund  of  fee, 
to  decline  to  pay  indemnity  or  to  pay  such  indemnity  as 
may,  in  its  discretion,  be  considered  equitable  in  the  light 
of  the  evidence  procured. 

2.  Claims  for  indemnity  for  the  injury  or  loss  of  domestic 
registered  mail  must  be  made  within  one  year  from  the 
date  of  loss. 

Sec.  1039.  Registration  of  foreign  matter. — Letters  and 
parcels  admissible  to  the  Postal  Union  mails  are  registered 
in  the  same  way  as  domestic  matter.     (See  sec.  881.) 

2.  The  address  on  registered  matter  for  Mexico  should 
include  the  Mexican  State  or  Territory,  and  that  for 
Canada  the  Canadian  Province,  county,  or  district. 

3.  Parcels  sent  by  international  parcel  post,  addressed 
to  any  of  the  countries  with  which  the  United  States  has 
parcel-post  conventions,  except  Barbados,  Curacao,  Dutch 
Guiana,  France,  Great  Britain,  the  Netherlands,  and 
Uruguay,  may  be  registered  the  same  as  other  matter; 
no  extra  charge  shall  be  made  for  the  return  receipt. 

Sec.  1040.  Restrictions  on  registration. — Articles  for 
foreign  countries  shall  not  be  accepted  for  registration  if 
not  admissible  to  the  ordinary  mails  for  those  countries, 
nor  if  addressed  to  initials  only  or  in  lead  pencil. 

Sec.  1064.  Handling  of  registered  matter  by  carriers. — 
City  and  rural  carriers  and  clerks  in  charge  of  rural  sta- 
tions shaU  be  governed  in  the  acceptance  of  mail  for 
registration,  and  the  handling  and  delivery  of  registered 
matter,  by  the  Postal  Laws  and  Regulations  governing 
postmasters  and  other  postal  employees,  except  as  other- 
wise provided  in  this  chapter. 


RURAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  151 

Sec.  1065.  Authorization  of  registration. — Rural  car- 
riers shall  register  any  matter  proper  for  registration  (see 
sees.  877,  881,  882,  944,  1040,  1073,  1075,  and  1078),  which 
may  be  offered  to  them  while  on  duty,  handle  registered 
mail  in  transit  over  their  routes,  and  deliver  such  mail  to 
patrons  on  their  routes,  issuing  and  taking  the  necessary 
receipts  on  fonns  prescribed  for  the  purpose. 

For  exceptions  see  sec.  779. 

Sec.  1067.  Eegistry  equipment. — Each  carrier  shall  be 
furnished  one  carrier's  registration  book  (Form  3897  if 
oflSce  record  Foitq  3807  is  kept  at  the  poet  office  on  which 
to  record  the  post  office  or  city  carrier  registrations;  Form 
3896  if  Form  3807  is  not  kept  at  the  post  office  for  office 
or  city  registrations);  an  adequate  supply  of  registry  de- 
livery notices  (Foim  3849);  and  such  other  forms  as  may 
be  prescribed  from  time  to  time. 

2.  The  clerk  in  charge  of  each  rural  station  shall  be 
supplied  with  a  window  registration  book  (Form  3805),  a 
registry  delivery  book  (Form  3850),  registry  return  re- 
ceipts (Form  3811),  and  registr>^  delivery  notices  (Form 
3849). 

See  instractions  in  registration  book. 

Sec.  1068.  Kecords  and  registered  matter  not  to  be 
shown. — No  unauthorized  person  shall  be  permitted  to  have 
access  to  registry  records  or  registered  mail  while  in  pos- 
session of  a  carrier.  Carriers  will  be  held  responsible  in 
case  of  the  loss  or  depredation  of  a  registered  letter  or 
parcel  while  in  their  custody. 

Sec.  1069.  Carriers  not  to  address  mail  for  or  place 
contents  in  envelopes. — Carriers  shaU  not  address  matter 
tendered   for  registration,   place  contents  in   envelopes 


152  POSTAL   LAWS    AND    EEGULATIONS. 

or  seal  them,  but  may  act  as  agents  of  patrons,  without 
remuneration,  to  inclose  money  orders  procured  for  the 
remitters,  in  addressed  envelopes  furnished  by  senders 
for  the  purpose,  and  seal  or  present  the  same  for  registra- 
tion at  the  office  or  station  to  which  they  are  attached. 

Sec.  1070.  Registration  by  carriers. — Carriers,  when 
out  on  their  routes,  shall  have  with  them  the  required 
registry  forms,  and  immediately  upon  accepting  a  letter 
or  parcel  for  registration  shall  issue  the  prescribed  receipt 
and  deliver  it  to  the  sender. 

Sec.  1071.  Missing  receipt,  reportiag  of. — If  a  carrier 
loses  his  registration  book  or  is  unable  satisfactorily  to 
account  for  a  missing  receipt,  the  facts  shall  be  reported 
immediately  to  the  post-office  inspector  in  charge  of  the 
division  in  which  the  post  office  is  located. 

Sec.  1072.  Numbering  of  registered  mail  by  rural  car- 
riers.— ^All  mail  registered  by  rural  carriers  and  the  regis- 
tration receipts  issued  therefor  shall  be  numbered  in  con- 
secutive series,  consisting  of  100  numbers  for  each  carrier, 
beginning  on  July  1  of  each  year  and  continuing  through- 
out the  fiscal  year.  (See  sec.  883.)  The  numbers  of 
articles  registered  by  each  carrier  shall  correspond  in  ' '  hun- 
dreds "  with  the  series  assigned  to  the  carrier  according  to 
his  number.  The  first  registration  number  in  each  carrier's 
series  shall  be  represented  by  each  carrier's  number,  fol- 
lowed by  two  ciphers.     For  example : 

Carrier  No.l » lOOto   199,  inclusive. 

Carrier  No.  5 500to  599,  inclusive. 

Carrier  No.  10 1000  to  1099,  inclusive. 

2.  This  number  shall  be  used  as  the  dispatching  num- 
ber by  the  post  office  or  station  to  which  the  carrier  is 
attached. 


BUBAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  153 

3 .  When  a  carrier  has  exhausted  his  series  of  numbers  the 
same  series  shall  be  started  anew  without  regard  to  date 
and  continue  in  this  manner  until  June  30  of  each  year. 
The  number  of  the  carrier  who  registered  an  article  may 
be  ascertained  by  striking  off  the  last  two  figures  of  the 
registration  number  borne  by  the  article,  the  remaining 
figure  or  figures  indicating  the  number  of  the  carrier. 

4.  Each  carrier  shall  number  consecutively  the  regis- 
tration books  used  by  him  during  any  fiscal  year,  begin- 
ning with  No.  1.  The  first  receipt  in  a  new  book  shall  be 
given  the  number  following  that  of  the  last  receipt  in  the 
book  previously  filled. 

Sec.  1073.  Turning  in  of  matter  for  registration. — Im- 
mediately after  his  return  to  the  distributing  post  ofiice  or 
station  after  serving  his  route,  each  carrier  shall  deliver  all 
matter  accepted  for  registration  on  the  route  (except  as 
provided  in  sec.  1086),  together  with  the  registration  book, 
to  the  postmaster  or  authorized  employee,  who  shall  check 
the  matter  received  and  the  money  taken  by  the  carrier 
for  postage  and  registry  fees  against  the  record  in  the  book. 
(See  sec.  1080.) 

***** 

Sec.  1074.  Filing  of  black-print  sheets. — ^The  black- 
print  sheets  taken  from  the  carrier's  registration  books 
shall  be  filed  in  the  post  office  in  numerical  order,  the  high- 
est number  on  top,  according  to  the  carrier  registration  or 
distribution  numbers  on  them,  and  shall  be  the  permanent 
ofiice  record  of  articles  registered  by  carriers  attached  to  a 
post  ofiice  or  station.  The  window  registration  book  shall 
not  be  used  for  recording  such  matter. 


154  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

2.  Transit  books  and  the  black-print  sheets  shall  be 
frequently  compared  and  checked  to  see  that  each  article 
is  properly  accounted  for. 

Sec.  1075.  Matter  for  registration  found  in  rural  mail 
box,  treatment  of. — Wlien  a  rural  carrier  finds  in  a  rural 
mail  box  an  acceptable  letter  or  parcel  marked  for  regis- 
tration bearing  name  and  address  of  sender,  with  sufficient 
stamps  affixed  to  pay  both  postage  and  registry  fee,  or 
money  to  pay  for  same,  he  shall  at  once  register  the  article, 
and,  if  the  sender  is  a  patron  of  the  route,  leaA^e  the  regis- 
tration receipt  in  the  box.  If  the  sender  is  not  a  patron  of 
the  route  the  registration  receipt  shall  be  mailed  in  a  pen- 
alty envelope  to  his  address. 

Sec.  1076.  Considered  registered,  when. — A  letter  or 
parcel  deposited  in  a  mail  box  for  registration  is  not  regis- 
tered mail  until  the  receipt  therefor  has  been  issued  by  the 
carrier. 

Sec.  1077.  Examination  of  matter  registered  by  car- 
riers.— Postmasters,  superintendents  of  stations,  and  other 
authorized  employees  shall  examine  all  letters  and  parcels 
registered  by  carriers  to  see  that  the  requirements  of  the 
Postal  Laws  and  Regulations  have  been  complied  with. 
(See  sees.  405,  545,  952,  and  953.) 

Sec.  1078.  Excess  cash  received  with  mail  matter. — 
Any  cash  in  excess  of  the  amount  required  to  pay  postage 
and  registry  fee  shall  be  handed  to  the  sender  on  the  car- 
rier's next  trip  or  inclosed  in  an  envelope  and  deposited  in 
the  sender's  mail  box.  The  amount  required  shall  be 
noted  by  the  receiving  postmaster  or  authorized  employee 
directly  beneath  the  amount  received,  as  written  by  the 
carrier,  the  subtraction  being  made  on  the  black-print 


EUBAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  155 

sheet,  80  as  to  show  the  amount  returned  to  the  sender. 
(See  sec.  780.) 

Sec.  1079.  tJnmailable  matter  accepted  for  registration. — 
When  a  piece  of  matter  accepted  for  registration  by  a 
carrier  is  found  to  be  unmailable,  if  the  irregularity  can 
be  properly  corrected  by  the  sender  without  taking  the 
article  from  the  carrier's  custody,  the  sender  shall  be  per- 
mitted to  make  such  coiTection.  It  shall  then  be  returned 
to  the  distributing  office  or  station  for  dispatch  without 
requiring  the  payment  of  additional  postage  or  registry 
fee.  Corrections  so  made  shall  be  noted  on  the  sender's 
original  receipt  and  on  the  office  or  station  records. 

2.  If  an  unmailable  piece  of  matter  can  not  be  rendered 
mailable  by  the  sender  while  in  the  custody  of  the  postal 
sei-vice,  it  shall  be  returned  to  him  with  a  statement  of  the 
reasons  for  its  rejection,  and  the  black-print  sheet  indorsed 
across  the  face  "  Returned  to  writer, "  with  the  reason  there- 
for. When  mail  is  returned  to  the  sender  in  this  mamier 
the  carrier  shall  receipt  for  it  by  signing  his  name  and 
number  under  the  indorsement  "  Returned  to  writer, "  the 
sender's  receipt  taken  on  the  carrier's  delivery  book,  and 
the  sender  requested  to  surrender  the  original  registration 
receipt,  which  shaU  be  similarly  indorsed  and  signed  by 
the  carrier  and  pasted  on  the  edge  of  the  stub  in  the  car- 
rier's registration  book. 

Sec.  1080.  Dispatch  of  registered  matter  from  rural  sta- 
tions.— Registered  articles  shall  be  made  up  for  dispatch 
to  other  offices  at  rural  stations  the  same  as  they  are  made 
up  for  dispatch  at  post  offices.  Receipts  for  registered 
articles  dispatched  from  rural  stations  shall  be  taken  from 
the  rural  carrier  direct,  and  receipts  shall  be  taken  by  the 


156  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

rural  carrier  from  the  postmaster,  railway  postal  clerk,  or 
other  postal  employee  to  whom  the  registered  articles  are 
delivered. 

Sec.  1081.  Registered  articles,  how  carried. — Registered 
articles  dispatched  by  a  rural  carrier  to  other  offices  or  sta- 
tions shall  not  be  inclosed  in  iron-lock  pouches  but  handed 
to  the  carrier  outside  of  the  pouch,  hand-to-hand  receipt 
being  obtained.    (See  sec.  883.) 

Sec.  1082.  Carriers  to  receipt  for  registered  matter  for 
delivery. — Carriers  shall  receipt  on  the  post  office  or  station 
delivery  book  for  all  registered  mail  handed  them  at  such 
office  or  station  for  delivery,  and  also  enter  complete  de- 
scriptions thereof,  as  well  as  of  transit  registered  articles, 
with  ink  in  their  own  registry  delivery  books.  (See  sec. 
883.) 
See  sec.  935,  as  to  delivery  of  registered  mail. 

Sec.  1083.  Delivery  of  registered  matter  from  rural  sta- 
tions.— Registered  mail  addressed  to  a  rural  station  for 
delivery  shall  be  held  there,  to  be  called  for,  the  usual 
office  registry  notice  (Form  3849)  being  issued,  unless  the 
addressee  is  a  patron  of  a  rural  route  starting  from  such 
station  or  a  route  contiguous  thereto,  in  which  case  the 
mail  shall  be  sent  out  by  the  carrier,  unless  patron  other- 
wise directs. 

Sec.  1083^.  Registered  mail  delivery  off  the  line  of 
travel. — Registered  mail  addressed  to  a  patron  of  a  rural 
route  shall  be  delivered  at  the  residence  of  the  patron  if 
it  be  not  more  than  one-half  mile  from  the  line  of  travel  and 
there  is  a  passable  road  leading  to  it,  but  a  carrier  shall 
not  be  required  to  make  more  than  one  visit  to  a  residence 
to  effect  tiie  delivery  of  any  one  piece  of  registered  mail. 


KUEAL    MAIL    SEEVICE.  157 

2.  If  the  addressee  does  not  meet  the  carrier  on  the 
first  trip,  or  by  reason  of  location  is  not  entitled  to  delivery 
at  his  residence,  or  delivery  at  the  residence  is  not  effected 
as  prescribed  by  the  preceding  paragraph,  the  carrier 
shall  place  in  the  box  of  the  patron  a  notice  (Form  3849) 
that  the  patron  may  obtain  the  registered  article  by 
calling  at  the  post  office  or  meeting  the  carrier  at  the  box 
on  the  next  trip. 

Sec.  1084.  When  telephone  is  to  be  used. — ^A  rural  carrier 
may  advise  a  patron  of  his  route  whose  residence  or  place 
of  business  is  located  more  than  one-half  mile  from  the 
route,  by  telephone  or  otherwise,  that  he  holds  registered 
mail  addressed  to  him,  and  that  he  will  be  at  the  patron's 
mail  box  at  a  specified  time  to  effect  delivery.  Such 
arrangement  shall  not  be  made,  except  on  initiative  of  the 
patron,  when  the  latter  is  located  one-half  mile  or  less  from 
the  route. 

Sec.  1085.  Registered  mail  from  intermediate  offices, — 
Rural  carriers  who  call  at  intermediate  ofiices  on  their 
routes  to  receive  mail  for  delivery  to  their  patrons  shall 
treat  registered  mail  received  at  such  ofiices  in  the  same 
manner  as  if  received  at  the  distributing  offices  of  their 
routes.  The  signed  return  receipts,  if  any,  shall  be  mailed 
from  the  distributing  offices. 

Sec.  1086.  Mail  registered  for  delivery  en  route. — When 
a  rural  carrier  accepts  for  registration  a  piece  of  mail  ad- 
dressed to  a  patron  residing  on  a  portion  of  the  route  over 
which  the  carrier  is  to  pass  before  returning  to  the  post 
office  or  station  with  which  he  is  connected,  he  shall  en- 
deavor to  effect  its  delivery  before  reaching  such  office  or 
station,  making  the  usual  entries  in  the  registration  and 


158  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

delivery  books.  The  black-print  sheet  shall  be  marked  to 
show  how  the  letter  or  parcel  was  delivered  and  shall  be 
signed  by  the  postmaster  or  superintendent  of  the  station. 

Sec.  1087.  Exchange  of  registered  matter  by  carriers. — 
If  a  rural  carrier,  under  due  authorization,  delivers  regis- 
tered mail  to  another  carrier,  he  shall  obtain  receipt  there- 
for on  his  registry  delivery  book.  The  carrier  receiving 
the  mail  shall  in  turn  ent«r  it  upon  his  delivery  book  and 
secure  receipt  thereon  from  the  person  to  whom  he  makes 
delivery. 

Sec.  1088.  Delivery  of  registered  matter  by  carrier  in 
transit. — ^When  a  rural  carrier  attached  to  an  office  which 
is  served  in  transit  by  an  exchange  of  mail  between  him 
and  a  carrier  attached  to  another  office  receives  from  the 
latter  earner  a  registered  article  for  delivery  on  his  route, 
he  shall,  if  possible,  effect  delivery  before  reaching  his 
office,  and  shall  report  the  fact  to  the  postmaster  or  au- 
thorized employee  at  such  office,  exhibiting  his  delivery 
book,  from  which  such  postmaster  or  employee  shall 
enter  a  description  of  the  article  on  the  delivery  records 
of  the  post  office  or  station. 

Sec.  1089.  Delivery  by  carrier  attached  to  another 
office. — When  a  postmaster  receives  a  registered  article 
addressed  to  his  office  which  is  properly  deliverable 
by  a  rural  carrier  attached  to  another  office  which  is 
served  by  an  exchange  between  carriers,  he  shall  change 
the  address  on  the  article,  as  to  destination  only,  to  that 
of  the  office  from  which  it  is  deliverable,  and  treat  it  in 
accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  preceding  section. 

Sec.  1090.  Undelivered  registered  matter  from  inter- 
mediate  office. — ^Any  registered   matter  received   by  a 


SURAL    MAIL    SEKVICE.  159 

rural  carrier  from  an  intermediate  office  on  his  route, 

remaining  in  his  hands  undelivered  when  service  of  his 

route  is  completed,  shall  be  turned  in  on  his  arrival  at  the 

distributing  office  or  station. 

Sec.  1093.  Delivery  of  registered  matter  to  be  attempted 

on  first  trip. — Carriers  shall  endeavor  to  deliver  registered 

mail  on  the  first  trip  after  it  is  prepared  for  delivery, 

unless  the  addressee  has  given  orders  to  the  contrary. 
*  ^  *  ^  * 

2.  After  each  imsuccessful  trial  the  carrier  shall  write 
in  pencil,  on  the  left  end  or  back  of  the  letter  or  pai-cel, 
the  reason  for  nondelivery,  and  sign  it  with  his  initials 
and  number  and  leave  a  notice  (Form  3849)  at  the  ad- 
dressee's residence,  place  of  business,  or  mail  box. 

Sec.  1084.  Wlien  delivery  can  not  be  effected. — ^When, 
on  any  day,  it  is  found  impossible  to  deliver  a  letter  or 
parcel  on  that  date,  it  shall  be  returned  to  the  postmaster, 
superintendent,  or  authorized  clerk,  and  his  receipt  taken 
therefor  on  the  carrier's  delivery  book  or  other  authorized 
form.  This  shall  be  done  also  after  the  last  trip  each  day, 
and  after  any  trip  which  is  followed  by  the  carrier's  lay 
off,  when  the  delivery  book  shall  also  be  left,  to  be  ex- 
amined and  checked  by  the  authorized  employee. 

2.  Undelivered  letters  and  parcels  returned  by  carriers 
shall,  at  each  return,  be  reentered  on  the  post  office  or 
station  delivery  book,  or  other  authorized  record,  and 
every  time  thereafter  that  they  are  taken  out  for  delivery 
by  the  carrier  he  shall  receipt  for,  and  reenter  them  in 
his  delivery  book,  unless  they  are  to  be  delivered  under  a 
card  system. 

Sec.  1095.  Change  of  address  on  registered  matter. — 
Carriers  shall  not  change  the  address  of  any  registered 


160  POSTAL   LAWS    AND    REGULATIONS. 

letter  or  parcel,  nor  eliali  city  carriers  transfer  it  from  one 
district  to  another,  except  through  the  registry  clerk  at 
the  post  office  or  station,  who  shall  write  the  new  address 
in  red  ink  if  the  change  be  made  on  a  written  order,  but 
if  the  order  is  verbal  it  should  be  so  noted  over  the  carrier's 
initials  and  number  upon  the  letter  or  parcel  without 
changing  its  address. 

Sec.  1096.  Registered  special-delivery  letters. — Regis- 
tered letters  for  special  delivery  should  be  intrusted  only 
to  adult  employees  of  a  post  office,  or,  if  this  be  not  prac- 
ticable, only  to  sworn  messengers  of  undoubted  discretion 
and  good  judgment.  Postmasters  may  make  delivery  of 
such  letters  in  person. 

2.  In  delivering  special  delivery  registered  mail  only 
such  receipts  shall  be  obtained  as  are  taken  for  any  other 
registered  matter. 

See  sec.  858,  as  to  delivery  of  special-delivery  matter. 

Sec.  1128.  Money  order  fees  and  limitations.— A  money  order  shall 
not  be  issued  for  more  than  $100,  and  fees  for  domestic  money  orders 
shall  be  as  foUov/s,  to  wit: 

For  orders  not  exceeding  $2.50,  three  cents. 

For  orders  exceeding  S2.50  and  not  exceeding  $5,  five  cents. 

For  orders  exceeding  $5  and  not  exceeding  $10,  eight  cents. 

For  orders  exceeding  $10  and  not  exceeding  $20,  ten  cents. 

For  orders  exceeding  $20  and  not  exceeding  $30,  twelve  cents. 

For  orders  exceeding  $30  and  not  exceeding  $40,  fifteen  cents. 

For  orders  exceeding  $40  and  not  exceeding  $50,  eighteen  cents. 

For  orders  exceeding  $50  and  not  exceeding  $60,  twenty  cents. 

For  orders  exceeding  $60  and  not  exceeding  $75,  twenty-five  cents. 

For  orders  exceeding  $75  and  not  exceeding  $100,  thirty  cents. 

Note.— The  above  fees  are  applicable  also  to  orders  drawn  on  post 
oflaces  in  countries  named  in  Table  4,  see.  1189. 

***** 


EUEAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  161 

Sec.  1133.  Precautions  in  drawing  orders. — An  order 
shall  be  made  payable  to  only  one  person  or  one  firm.  An 
order  must  not  be  drawn  in  favor  of  "  John  Doe  and  Rich- 
ard Roe,"  or  of  "John  Doe  or  Richard  Roe." 

2.  If  only  the  surname  of  the  payee  be  given  by  the 
purchaser  the  postmaster  shall  decline  to  issue  the  order 
unless  the  payee's  street  address  and  house  number  be 
given  for  entry  with  the  surname  in  the  coupon;  but  the 
order  may  be  issued  without  street  address — 

(a)  If  the  single  name  given  is  the  business  name  of  the 
payee,  as  "Mason's,"  "Johnson's  Store,"  or  "Madam 
Saville." 

(6)  If  the  payee  is  designated  only  by  an  official  title 
indicative  of  the  capacity  in  which  he  is  to  receive  pay- 
ment, as  "Receiver,  U.  S.  Land  Office,"  or  "Cashier, 
First  National  Bank." 

(c)  If  the  payee  is  designated  by  a  name  adopted  under 
membership  in  a  religious  order,  the  name  and  address 
being  so  combined  as  clearly  to  indicate  the  person 
intended,  as  "Sister  Theresa,  Academy  of  Visitation,"  or 
" Brother  Joseph,  St.  Anselmo's  College," 

3.  Money  orders  may  be  drawn  on  branch  offices  but 
not  on  any  station.  If  an  application  be  made  for  an  order 
to  be  drawn  on  a  station,  the  order  shall  be  drawn  on  the 
post  office  only  and  the  name  of  the  station  omitted ;  but 
orders  presented  at  stations  may  be  cashed  under  the  same 
rules  as  govern  payments  at  the  main  office. 

Sec.  1257.  Money-order   business   at   rural  stations. — 
Rural  postal  stations  shall  be  suppUed  with  money-order 
facilities  upon  their  establishment,   and   money  orders 
32657°— 21 11 


162  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

shall  be  issued  by  clerks  in  charge  of  such  stations,  under 
the  direction  of  the  postmasters  at  the  offices  to  which  the 
stations  are  tributary.  Money  orders  shall  not,  however, 
be  dra^vn  on  a  rural  postal  station.  (See  sees.  317,  1125, 
1133,  and  1141.) 

Sec.  1258.  Remittances  and  reports  by  clerks  in  charge. — 
Clerks  in  charge  of  rural  postal  stations  shall  remit  daily  to 
the  post  offices  to  which  their  stations  are  tributary  all 
surplus  money-order  funds  accruing  at  the  stations,  con- 
formably to  sections  1241  and  1244.  They  shall  also  pre- 
pare, for  transmission  to  the  Auditor  for  the  Post  Office 
Department  by  the  postmasters  of  the  offices  to  which 
their  stations  are  tributary,  the  monthly  or  semimonthly 
accounts  required  from  classified  stations  by  section  204. 
Each  of  such  reports,  unless  the  postmaster  perfers  to  sign 
them  himself,  shall  be  signed  in  his  name  by  the  clerks  in 
charge  of  the  stations  in  the  manner  indicated  in  section 
1141.  The  clerks  in  charge  of  stations  may  be  required  by 
the  postmaster  to  render  to  him,  for  his  information,  daily 
reports,  on  Form  601&-a,  of  the  money-order  business 
transacted  at  the  stations. 

2.  Clerks  in  charge  of  rural  stations  who  are  supplied 
mth  sufficient  funds  for  the  purpose  may,  with  the 
approval  of  the  postmasters  of  the  offices  to  which  the 
stations  are  attached,  cash  for  payees  whose  identity  is 
satisfactorily  substantiated,  or  for  such  duly  authorized 
persons  as  may  present  the  same,  money  orders  drawn 
upon  such  offices.  They  shall  not,  however,  take  credit 
on  money-order  account  for  payment  of  such  orders,  but, 
having  cashed  them,  shall  stamp  them  on  the  back  with 
dated  M.  0.  B.  stamp  of  station  and  transmit  them,  per 


RUBAL    MAIL   SERVICE.  163 

Form  6021 ,  as  surplus  money-order  funds  to  the  postmas- 
ters of  their  respective  offices,  receiving  in  return  certifi- 
cates of  deposit  covering  the  amounts  of  the  orders.  In 
every  such  case  the  postmaster  shall  treat  the  cashed  orders 
as  vouchers,  and  shall  stamp  each  of  such  orders  on  the 
face  as  paid  at  his  main  office,  and  take  credit  as  for  pay- 
ment made  thereat,  on  the  date  on  which  the  certificate  of 
deposit  is  issued.  (See  sees.  1133,  1153,  1232,  1234,  and 
1237.) 

3.  In  the  transaction  of  money-order  business,  clerks 
in  charge  of  rural  postal  stations  shall  be  governed  by  the 
Postal  Laws  and  Regulations  applicable  to  the  money- 
order  system  and  by  such  special  instructions  as  may 
from  time  to  time  be  issued  by  the  department. 

Sec.  1259.  Money-order  applications  through  rural 
carriers. — Rural  carriers,  while  serving  their  routes, 
shall  take  applications  and  accept  money  for  money  orders 
from  persons  desiring  to  purchase  same,  and  give  receipts 
for  funds  so  received.  They  shall  accept  for  delivery 
C.  O.  D.  parcels  turned  over  to  them  by  the  postmasters 
at  the  post  offices  from  which  their  routes  emanate  or 
which  are  served  by  them. 

Sec.  1260.  Drawing  of  order  on  distributing  office  per- 
mitted.— A  rural  carrier  shall  take  applications  for  money 
orders  to  be  drawn  on  the  distributing  office  of  the  route  he 
serves. 

Sec.  1261.  Money-order  supplies. — Each  rural  carrier 
shall  be  furnished  with  a  small  supply  of  blank  applica- 
tions for  the  use  of  intending  remitters,  and  with  a  book  of 
forms  for  receipts  (Form  6387)  to  be  given  by  him  for  money 
intrusted  to  him  for  the  purchase  of  orders. 


164  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

Sec.  1262.  Procuring  orders. — In  all  cases  where  appli- 
cations for  money  orders  are  made  through  rural  carriers 
such  orders  shall  be  procured  at  the  distributing  post  offices 
or  rural  stations  to  which  the  carriers  are  attached,  and  not 
at  any  other  post  office  on  the  carriers'  routes  without 
special  authorization  from  the  department,  except  that 
when  C.  O.  D.  parcels  are  delivered  the  retmns  shall  be 
made  to  the  postmasters  from  whom  the  parcels  were  re- 
ceived, who  shall  issue  the  money  orders  and  dispatch 
them  to  the  senders  of  the  parcels  as  directed  in  section 
489  of  these  Regulations. 

Sec.  1263.  Prompt  accounting  for  funds  received. — 
Unless  special  instructions  to  the  contrary  shall  have 
been  issued  by  the  department,  rural  carriers  shall,  im- 
mediately after  returning  to  the  distributing  offices  from 
their  trips,  present  the  applications  they  have  received 
and  the  money,  including  fees,  for  money  orders  to  the 
postmaster,  who  shall  issue  the  orders  according  to  the 
applications  and  mail  to  the  respective  remitters,  in  offi- 
cial penalty  envelopes,  the  receipts  which  are  detached 
from  the  coupons  of  the  orders.  On  the  back  of  each 
application  the  carrier  shall  write  over  his  own  signature 
the  number  of  the  receipt  given  by  him  to  the  remitter 
(the  purchaser). 

Sec.  1264.  Delivery  of  order  to  applicant. — ^A  money 
order  issued  on  an  application  presented  through  a  rural 
carrier  shall,  if  possible,  be  personally  delivered  on  the 
route  to  the  applicant  or  his  duly  authorized  representative 
when  the  carrier  makes  his  next  regular  trip,  but  the  car- 
rier should  not  leave  his  route  for  this  purpose.  If  per- 
sonal delivery  is  found  impracticable,  the  order  may  be 


EURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  165 

inclosed  in  a  penalty  envelope  addressed  to  the  applicant 
and  deposited  in  applicant's  (the  remitter's)  mail  box. 

2.  Instead  of  delivering  to  the  remitter  a  money  order 
so  purchased  and  issued,  the  rural  carrier  may,  as  agent 
of  the  remitter  and  at  his  request,  mail  the  money  order 
to  the  payee  thereof  in  an  addressed  envelope  furnished 
for  the  purpose  by  the  remitter  (the  purchaser);  but  car- 
riers shall  not  accept  any  extra  fee  or  remuneration  for 
performing  such  service . 

3.  The  receipt  form  for  the  remitter,  duly  stamped  and 
showing  the  amount,  shall  be  detached  from  the  coupon 
of  the  money  order  and  mailed  to  him  separately  in  a. 
sealed  penalty  envelope  by  the  postmaster  if  the  order  is 
to  be  mailed  to  the  payee  by  the  carrier.  If  the  order  is 
not  to  be  mailed  by  the  carrier,  or  taken  out  by  the  car- 
rier for  personal  delivery,  it,  with  the  receipt  form,  un- 
detached,  shall  likewise  be  sent  in  a  sealed  penalty 
envelope  by  the  postmaster  to  the  remitter. 

Sec.  1265.  Carrier's  record  of  money  orders. — The  date, 
number,  and  amount  of  each  order  purchased  through  a 
rural  carrier  shall  be  entered  by  the  issuing  official  on  the 
stub  of  the  receipt  (Form  6387)  given  by  the  carrier  to  the 
purchaser. 

2.  The  carrier  shall  exhibit  to  the  postmaster  or  assistant 
postmaster,  at  close  of  business  each  day,  his  book  of  re- 
ceipts (Form  6387). 

Sec.  1266.  Receipts  to  purchasers. — The  postmaster 
shall  number  consecutively  in  ink  all  of  the  stubs  in  each 
receipt  book  before  it  is  given  out  to  the  carrier  for  use. 
The  number  thus  given  each  stub  is  the  number  to  be 
borne  by  the  receipt  which  the  carrier  gives  to  the  pur- 


166  POSTAL   LAWS    AND   REGULATIONS. 

chaser  of  the  money  order.  Each  stub  shall  at  the  time 
the  order  is  issued  be  made  to  show  the  date,  number,  and 
amount  of  the  order,  and  shall  at  that  time  be  signed  by 
the  postmaster,  or  in  his  name  by  the  issuing  clerk  con- 
formably to  section  1141.  The  stub  will  then  constitute 
the  postmaster's  receipt  to  the  carrier  for  the  money. 

2 .  If  one  of  the  receipt  forms  has  been  spoiled,  and  there- 
fore not  delivered  to  any  applicant,  the  word  "spoiled"- 
shall  be  written  on  the  stub  by  the  carrier. 

3.  After  all  the  receipt  blanks  in  a  book  have  been  used, 
the  carrier  may  turn  the  stubs  over  to  the  postmaster  for 
preservation,  in  which  case  they  shall  be  retained  on  file 
the  same  length  of  time  as  the  applications.  The  carrier 
may,  if  he  desires,  retain  the  stubs  himself  for  his  own 
protection, 

4.  When  a  carrier  is  furnished  with  an  additional  (new) 
book  of  receipt  forms,  the  numerical  series  may  be  con- 
tinued . 

Sec.  1267.  Exchange  of  money-order  business  between 
carriers. — In  case  a  rural  carrier  is,  by  authority  of  the 
department,  required  to  deliver  his  collections  to  another 
carrier  to  be  taken  by  him  to  a  post  office  or  station,  the 
carrier  who  made  the  original  collections  shaU  deliver  also 
the  money -order  applications  and  the  money  for  the  orders, 
including  fees  for  the  same,  to  the  other  carrier  for  delivery 
at  such  office  or  station  and  take  proper  receipt  for  the 
amount  in  each  case  on  Form  6387,  changing  the  same  to 
read  as  follows: 


Received  of (remitter),  through 

(rural  carrier  No. ),  the  sum  of ,  etc. 


RURAL    MAIL    SERVICE.  167 

2.  The  earner  who  originally  received  the  application 
and  money  shall  keep  this  receipt  attached  to  the  stub  of 
the  receipt  given  to  the  remitter.  The  postmaster  of  the 
distributing  office  shall  receipt  on  Form  6387  to  the  carrier 
presenting  the  application  and  money. 

Sec.  1268.  Paying  of  orders  through  rural  carriers. — 
Money  orders  drawn  in  favor  of  persons  residing  on  a  rural 
route  may,  as  a  matter  of  accommodation,  be  paid  through 
the  carrier  serving  the  route,  but  the  carrier  shall  not  in 
any  case  exact  any  fee  or  compensation  for  collecting  the 
amount  of  an  order. 

2.  The  payee,  so  situated,  who  desires  to  collect  the 
amount  through  the  carrier,  shall  deliver  the  money  order 
to  the  latter  and  therewith  hand  him  a  separate  request, 
addressed  to  the  paying  postmaster,  in  the  following  form: 

Please  pay  to ,  carrier,  for  delivery  to  me,  the 

amoiint  of  monev  order  No. issued  at in  my  favor  and 

this  day  handed  to  him  by  me  for  collection. 


3.  Such  request,  properly  dated,  may  be  made  vrholly 
in  writing  or  on  Form  6387-a. 

4.  In  such  case  the  carrier,  upon  receiving  the  money 
from  the  postmaster,  shall  execute  a  receipt  therefor  on 
the  back  of  such  request,  which  should  then  be  filed  with 
the  coupon. 

5.  Upon  delivery  of  the  money  by  the  carrier  to  the 
payee,  the  latter  shall  be  required  to  execute  the  receipt 
on  the  face  of  the  order;  and  the  order  shall  then  be  turned 
over  by  the  carrier  to  the  postmaster,  to  be  by  him  treated 
as  the  voucher  for  the  payment. 


168  POSTAL  LAWS  AND  KEGULATIONS. 

6.  If  the  payee  has  receipted  the  order  before  delivery 
thereof  to  the  carrier  for  collection,  the  postmaster  shall 
instruct  the  carrier,  upon  payment  of  the  money,  to  pro- 
cure an  additional  receipt,  from  the  payee  to  the  carrier 
personally,  to  be  filed  with  the  coupon. 

See  sec.  1149,  as  to  identification,  etc. 

Sec.  1394.  Definition  of  "star  route." — The  term  "star 
route"  shall  mean  a  post  route  on  which  the  mails  are 
carried  under  a  formal  contract  awarded  to  the  lowest 
bidder  tendering  sufficient  guaranties  for  faithful  per- 
formance in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the  advertise- 
ment, and  requiring  due  celerity,  certainty  and  security 
in  the  performance  of  the  service. 

Sec.  1437.  Duties  of  contractors— Patrons  must  provide 
boxes  of  standard  type. — Unless  otherwise  specifically 
stated  in  the  advertisements,  contractors  for  service  on 
star  routes  shall,  in  addition  to  carrying  the  mail  to  the 
various  post  offices,  be  required  to  deliver  mail  into  all 
boxes  and  hang  mail  bags  and  satchels  containing  mail  on 
cranes  or  posts  that  may  be  erected  along  the  route,  and 
to  collect  mail  from  the  boxes  and  collect  the  bags  or 
satchels  from  cranes  or  posts  and  deposit  the  same  in  the 
proper  post  office  at  the  risk  of  the  addressee,  in  accordance 
with  the  rules  governing  such  service  and  without  charge 
to  the  persons  sending  or  receiving  the  mail.  But  reg- 
istered mail  shall  not  be  so  delivered  unless  expressly 
directed  by  the  addressee  in  a  written  order. 

All  persons  desiring  to  avail  themselves  of  box  delivery 
and  collection  service  on  star  routes  must  provide  boxes 
of  the  standard  type  approved  by  the  Postmaster  General, 


RUKAL  MAIL  SEKVICE. 


169 


as  mail  will  not  be  delivered  in  or  collected  from  boxes  of 
other  types  or  in  sacks:  Provided,  That  this  shall  not  apply- 
to  boxes  and  sacks  in  use  prior  to  July  1,  1917.  (See  sec. 
824  as  amended  May  4,  1917.) 

Sec.  1494.  Requests  for  mail  bags. — All  requests  for 
mail  bags  of  all  styles  in  quantities,  and  requests  for 
saddle  bags  for  use  on  star,  rural,  and  special  routes, 
shall  be  addressed  to  the  Second  Assistant  Postmaster 
General,  Division  of  Railway  Mail  Service. 

2.  All  requests  for  mail  bags  for  use  on  star,  rural,  and 
special  routes,  except  saddle  bags,  shall  be  addressed  as 
follows: 


From  post  offices  in- 


To  jHJstmaster  at — 


Maine,  New  Hampshire,  Vermont,  Massachu- 
setts, and  Rhode  Island. 

(Connecticut,  New  York,  New  Jersey,  and  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Georgia,  Florida,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  and 
Louisiana. 

OhiOj  Indiana,  Kentucky,  and  Tennessee 

Michigan,  Wisconsin,  Illinois,  Iowa,  Nebraska, 
Wyoming,  and  Idaho. 

Minnesota,  North  Dakota,  South  Dakota,  and 
Montana. 

Missouri,  Kansas,  Arkansas,  Oklahoma,  Texas, 
Colorado,  New  Mexico,  and  Arizona. 

Utah,  Nevada,  California,  Oregon,  Washington, 
and  Alaska. 

Maryland,  Delaware,  District  of  Columbia,  Vir- 
ginia, West  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  and 
South  Carolina. 


Boston,  Mass. 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

Atlanta,  Ga. 

Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
Chicago,  111. 

St.  Paul,  Minn. 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

San  Francisco,  CaUf. 

To  the  Second  Assis- 
tant Postmaster 
General,  Division 
of  Railway  Mail 
Service. 


(a)  The  requisition  should  state,  if  for  a  star  route,  the 
number  and  terminal  offices  of  the  route;  if  for  a  rural- 
delivery  or  special  route,  the  name  of  office  suppUed. 


170  POSTAL  LAWS  AND  EEGHLATIONS, 

(6)  The  style,  size,  and  quantity  wanted,  and  the 
reason  why  needed  should  also  be  stated. 

3.  Separate  locked  pouches  for  offices  on  a  star  route 
shall  not  be  furnished,  except  when  authorized  by  the 
proper  division  superintendents  of  the  Railway  Mail 
Service. 

Sec.  1G99.  Wilful  or  malicious  injury  to  boxes  on  mail  route.— That 

whoever  shall  wilfully  or  maliciously  injure,  tear  dovra,  or  destroy  any 
letter  box  or  other  receptacle  intended  or  used  for  the  receipt  or  delivery 
of  mail  on  any  mail  route,  or  shall  break  open  the  same,  or  shall  wilfully 
or  maliciously  injure,  deface,  or  destroy  any  mail  deposited  therein,  or 
shall  wiKully  take  or  steal  such  mail  from  or  out  of  such  letter  box  or 
other  receptacle,  or  shaU  wilfully  aid  or  assist  in  any  of  the  aforemen- 
tioned offenses,  shall  for  every  such  offense  be  punished  by  a  flue  of  not 
more  than  one  thousand  dollars  or  by  imprisonment  for  not  more  than 
three  years. 

Forest  fires. — In  accordance  with  the  request  of  the 
Secretary  of  Agriculture,  this  department  has  arranged  a 
plan  of  cooperation  with  the  State  and  national  forest 
officers  whereby  rural  and  star  route  carriers  shall  report 
forest  fires  discovered  by  them  along  their  routes  to  per- 
sons designated  by  the  State  and  national  authorities  to 
receive  such  intelligence. 

Cooperation  with  State  officers  will  be  given  in  all  States 
containing  national  forests. 

The  State  and  national  authorities  will  inform  post- 
masters as  to  whom  the  discovery  of  fires  should  be  re- 
ported, and  each  rural  carrier  should  be  directed  to 
cooperate  to  the  fullest  extent  with  such  authorities  in 
the  manner  agreed  upon,  namely,  that  the  carrier  shall 
report  a  fire  to  the  nearest  State  fire  warden  or  national 
forest  officer  on  his  route,  or,  if  no  such  warden  or  officer 


EUKAL  MAIL  SET.VICF.  171 

lives  on  the  route,  to  arrange  through  some  responsible 
citizen  to  have  him  notified,  by  telephone  if  possible. 
Star  route  contractors  and  carriers  are  included  in  the 
plan  of  cooperation  and  should  be  requested  to  report  the 
discovery  of  fires  in  the  same  manner  as  will  be  done  by 
the  rural  carriers. 

Postmasters  in  or  near  national  forests  are  also  directed 
to  report  fires  to  the  nearest  forest  oflficer. 


INDEX. 

Absence:  Sec 

Leave  of 730-735 

On  account  of  disability 5a 

On  account  of  injury 733 

Without  pay 733 

Without  permission 734 

Acceptance  of  mail 779, 780 

Accounting  for  funds 753 

Additions  to  mail  matter: 

Second-class  matter 441 

Third-class  matter 453 

Fourth-class  matter 458 

Address,  change  of 595, 596 

Addressee,  delivery  of  mail  to 601 

Advertisements  not  to  be  displayed  on  equipment 811 

Agent,  delivery  of  mail  to 601, 611 

Annual  leave 730 

Applications  for  money  orders  to  be  accepted  by  rural  carriers 1259 

Appointments  of  rural  carriers 718 

Approval  of  rural  boxes 825 

Automobiles 811 

Blind,  mail  for  the 451 

Bonds: 

Of  clerks  in  charge  of  rural  stations 814 

Of  rural  carriers  and  substitutes 723, 724 

Boxes: 

Examination  of  by  carriers 772 

On  right-hand  side  of  road 827 

On  rural  routes,  information  as  to  number  served  not  to  be 

given 523 

Patrons' 676,824-841 

United  States  collection 783,842-844 

Boycott,  acceptance  of  mail  and  sale  of  supplies  for  purpose  of, 

forbidden 779 

173 


174  INDEX. 

Sec. 

Business,  rural  carriers  not  toengagein  other 764 

Cancellation  of  stamps 784, 819 

Care  of  mail 768 

Carriers: 

Accountable  for  proper  delivery  of  mail 768 

Nottoaddressnorinolosematter  for  registration 1069 

Subordinate  to  postmasters 736 

To  receipt  for  registered  matter  for  delivery 1082 

Toreceiveinstructions  from  postmasters 750 

Work  of,  to  be  supervised  by  postmasters 748 

Change  of  address 595, 596, 1095 

Checks  not  acceptable  in  payment  for  supphes 813 

Chicks,  live  day-old  in  mail 476 

Christmas  Day,  service  required  on 735 

Civil-service: 

Examinations 300,718 

Examining  boards 730 

Classification: 

Of  mail  matter 393,511 

Of  rural  carriers 718 

Collection  boxes: 

United  States 783,842-844 

Exchange  of  mail  through 783 

Collection  of  man 772,781,783 

Collections,  turning  in  of 781 

C.O.D.  matter 489 

Coins  in  boxes 782 

Combined  salaries  not  to  exceed  52,000  per  annum 159 

Conduct  of  employees 171, 738 

Congress,  right  to  petition 29 

Contagious  diseases 791 

Contracts,  employees  interested  in 169 

Contributions: 

Soliciting  forbidden 171 

Political 163-165 

Conveyances  provided  by  carriers 811 

County,  matter  free  in 433 

Couitesy  and  neatness  required 737 


INDEX.  175 


Day-old  cliicks  in  mail 476 

Death  of  employee  incxirred  in  line  of  duty 6b 

Debts,  employees  forbidden  to  contract 171 

Deceased  persons,  mail  addressed  to 610, 935, 938, 1047 

Deductions  for  failures  to  perform  service 727J 

Defamatory  matter 481 

Deficiency  in  postage 397 

Delayed  mails,  waiting  for 760 

Delinquencies 739, 808 

Delivery: 

Limits  on  rural  routes 717 

Of  mail: 

General  directions 601 

Of  insured  parcels 488 

Rural  service 766-800 

Registered 935-1096 

Special  delivery 792-794 

Of  money  orders  to  applicants  on  rural  routes 1264 

Of  registered  mail  in  transit 1088 

Of  registered  mail  to  residenoe  of  patrons  off  line  of  route lOSSJ 

On  roads  traveled  by  more  than  one  carrier 790 

Depredations  to  be  reported 832 

Detention  at  intermediate  offices 806 

Deviations  from  routes 757 

Dinner,  stop  for 760 

Directions  for  transmission  of  mail  part  of  address 470 

Disability,  absence  on  account  of 5a 

Discipline 734,738,739,803,808 

Diversion  of  mail 531, 777 

Drop  letters 399 

Duties  of  carriers 752 

Eggs  in  mails 474 

Employees  forbidden  to  place  personal  indorsement  on  mail 

matter 171i 

Employment  outside  of  service 764 

Erection  of  boxes 827 

Establishment  of  rural  delivery 716 

Equipment 801,811,812,1067,1494 


176  INDEX. 

Sec. 

Examinations,  civil-service 300, 718 

Examination  of  boxes 772 

Exchange: 

Of  money  order  business  between  carriers 1267 

Through  collection  boxes 783 

Exhibiting  mail,  forbidden 769 

Extensions  of  rural  routes 716^ 

Extensions  of  service,  postmasters  to  recommend 748 

Failures: 

Of  service 761, 762 

To  perform  service,  deductions  for 727^ 

Fees: 

C.  O.  D.  and  registered  matter 488,489 

Money  order 1128 

Receiving  of,  prohibited 170, 769 

Registration 878, 879 

Special  delivery 797 

Fictitious  matter 479, 486 

First-class  matter,  rates 399 

Foreign  mails: 

Classification  and  rates 509-521 

Parcel  post 521 

Registered 1039,1040 

Unmailable 519 

Forest  fires,  rural  carriers  to  report  (page  170). 

Forwarding: 

Of  mail 595,596 

C.O.D.  matter 489 

Registered  matter 942, 944 

Fourth  Assistant  Postmaster  General,  Office  of 14 

Fourth-class  matter: 

Articles  admissible  and  nonadmissible 472-478 

Collect  on  delivery 488, 489 

Examination  of 469 

For  insurance  or  C.  O.  D.  to  be  accepted  by  rural  carriers 489^ 

Forwarding  of , 595 

Inclosing  matter  of  higher  class  with 460 

Insurance  of 488 


INDEX.  177 

Fourth-class  matter— ContiBued.  Sec. 

Limit  of  size 464 

Limit  of  weight  and  size 454, 462, 464 

Places  of  mailing 536 

Rates  of  postage 456 

Weights  and  rates  of  postage 456 

Wrapping  or  packing 467, 472-478 

Zones 454 

Fragile  articles 474 

Fraudulent  matter 479 

Free  county  matter 433 

Fruits  in  mails 475 

Funds  received  by  rural  carriers 753 

Game  birds  and  animals  in  mails 477J 

Gifts 168,177,744 

HoUdays 735,774 

Horseback  service 758 

Impassable  roads 756 

Inclosures  with  fourth-class  matter 458 

Indemnity: 

Insured  matter 488 

Registered  matter 973 

Information: 

As  to  number  of  rural  routes  and  number  of  boxes  served  by 

rural  carriers  not  to  be  given 523 

Concerning  mail  not  to  be  given 523 

Injury  to  mail  boxes 1699 

Inscriptions  on  boxes 826 

Insecure  or  badly  located  boxes 830 

Inspectors,  post  office 36 

Insufficiently  paid  matter 782 

Insurance  of  fourth-class  mail 488 

Intermediate  office  service 778, 801-810, 1085, 1090 

Intermediate  post  offices,  supply  of 801 

International  mails 509-521 

Intoxicants: 

In  mails  prohibited 472 

In  carriers'  vehicles 764 

Use  of  by  carriers 738 

32657°— 21 12 


178  ^NDEX. 

Sec. 

Irregularities  in  service  to  be  reported 762 

Jury  and  road  duty 740 

Keys: 

For  patrons'  boxes 834, 835 

For  United  States  collection  boxes 844 

Leave  of  absence.    (See  Absence.) 

Limit  of  size  of  fourth-class  matter 464 

Limit  of  weight  of  mail  matter 462, 463 

Liquids  in  mails 472, 474 

Location  of  boxes 827-830 

On  right-hand  side  of  road 827 

Locked  pouch  ser\ace 569 

Payment  for 725 

Locks  on  patrons'  boxes 834, 835 

Loop  routes 763 

Loss  of  or  damage  to  Government  property 171 J 

Lottery  matter 479,482 

Mail  bags,  requests  for 1494 

Mail  boxes: 

Standard  rural 824 

Willful  or  malicious  injury  to 1699 

Mail  for  routes  to  be  arranged  by  carriers 767 

Mailing  cards  (post  cards) 402 

Mail  locks  and  keys : 809 

Mail  to  be  registered  and  delivered  en  route 1086 

Master  keys 835 

Matter  for  registration  found  in  rural  mail  boxes 1075 

Matter  not  considered  registered  until  receipt  is  issued 1076 

Matter  outside  of  mails 764 

Measuring  parcels 464 

Meats  in  mails 475, 477 

Militia  duty 740 

Minors,  mail  addressed  to 609 

Money,  in  rural  boxes 782 

Money-order  business: 

At  rural  stations 1257 

Exchange  of,  between  carriers 12S7 


INDEX.  179 

Money-order  funds:  Sec. 

From  ruralstations 1258 

Prompt  accountingfor 1263 

MoneyHjrder  reports  from  rural  stations 1258 

Money  orders 1128,1133,1257-1268 

Applications 1259-1266 

Carriers'  record  of 1265 

Drawing  orders 1133 

Exchange  between  carriers 1267 

Fees 1 128 

Information  concerning,  not  to  be  given 523 

In  payment  for  C.  O.  D.  parcels 1262 

Paying  through  carriers 1268 

To  be  obtained  by  rural  carriers  from  distributing  office, 

exception 1262 

Money-order  supplies,  rural  carriers  to  carry 1261 

Motor  cycles 811 

Names  of  patrons,  furnishing  of,  forbidden 744 

Neatness  required 737 

Numbering: 

Of  registered  mail  by  rural  carriers 1072 

Of  rtu-al  boxes 836-841 

Nursery  stock  in  mails 478 

Oath: 

Of  office 158, 722 

Of  pensioners 746 

Obscene  matter 479,480 

Obstruction  of  passage  of  carrier 765 

Office  delivery  to  rural  patrons 773 

Office  work 749 

Official  correspondence 750 

Organizations,  membership  in 29 

Outside  employment 764 

Packages  must  admit  of  examination 469 

Parcel-post  matter.    (See  Fourth-class  matter.) 

Parcels  for  insurance  or  C.  O.  D.  to  be  accepted  by  rural  carriers. .  489* 

Parcels  too  large  for  boxes,  delivery  of 768 

Partnerships  and  corporations,  mail  addressed  to 611 

Passengers,  carrying  of,  forbidden 745 


180  INDEX. 

Patrons:  Sec. 

Boxes  of 824-841 

Lists  of  names  of,  not  to  be  furnished 744 

Roster  of 754 

Pay: 

Of  rural  carriers 725 

Of  substitutes 721, 726 

Readjustment  of,  based  on  length  of  route 725 

Payment: 

Of  money  orders 1268 

To  representative  of  employee  killed 5-b 

Pension  mail 606-776 

Pension  oaths 746 

Pension  vouchers  authenticated  by  rural  carriers 746 

Perishable  matter 475 

Permanent  changes  or  omissions  of  travel  to  be  reported 748 

Permissible  additions  on  third  and  fourth  class  matter 453, 458, 470 

Petitions,  circulation  of 743 

PoUtical  contributions 163-167 

Political  privileges 741, 742 

Positions  outside  the  service 741, 764 

Postage-due  mail 775 

Postage,  rates  of 395-457, 511-521 

Postage-stamp  credits  to  employees 342 

Postal  cards : 401 

Postal  Guide,  access  to,  by  carriers 750 

Postal  stations,  rural 814-823 

Post  cards 402, 403,511 

Post-office  inspectors 36 

Pouches  for  intermediate  offices 801-809 

Preparation  of  matter: 

For  mailing 469-478 

For  registration 881 

Prepayment  of  postage 396 

Privacy  of  matter  imder  seal 522 

Protection  of  mail 802 

Punctuality  and  regularity  required  of  carriers  who  supply  post 
offices 803 


INDEX.  181 

Quarantine:  Sec. 

Contagious  diseases 791 

Plants 478 

Rates  of  postage ?. .  395-457,511-521 

Receipt  for  ordinary  parcel 458J 

Receipts: 

To  purchasers  of  money  orders 1266 

Registry 931, 1065, 1070-1072 

Registered  articles,  how  carried  by  rural  carriers  to  other  offices 

or  stations 1081 

Registered  matter 877-1096 

At  intermediate  offices 1085 

Change  of  address  on 1095 

Delivery  of,  by  rural  carriers  to  residences  off  line  of  route 1083i 

Delivery  of,  from  rural  stations 1083 

Delivery  of,  to  be  attempted  on  first  trip 1090 

When  delivery  can  not  be  effected 1094 

Registered  special-delivery  mail 1096 

Registration  of  mail  by  carriers 1070 

Registry  equipment 1067 

Regularity  of  service  required 759 

Relay  mail  for  city  carriers,  rural  carriers  may  be  required  to  de- 
liver into  package  boxes 749 

Remittances  from  rural  stations 1258 

Removals  from  classified  service 29 

Reporting  for  duty 758 

Report  of  boxes  erected 837 

Reports  by  carriers 761, 785 

Resignations 719, 72u 

Responsibility  for  registered  mail 940 

Return  of  mail  by  carriers  forbidden 786 

Returns  from  stamp  sales  to  be  made  each  day 813 

Roads 756 

Road  and  jury  duty '^40 

Room  for  carriers  in  post  office 755 

Roster  of  patrons ''^^ 


182  INDEX. 

Rural  carriers:  Sec. 

Absence  of 5a,  730-735 

Appointment  of 718 

May  relay  mail  for  city  carriers 749 

Pay  of 725 

Resignation  of 719, 720 

To  carry  blartk  applications  for  money  orders  and  book  of 

forms  of  receipt 1261 

To  obtain  money  orders  from  distributing  oflace,  exception. .    1262 

Rural  delivery,  establishment  of 716 

Rural  mail  boxes 824-841 

Rural  postal  stations 814-323 

Delivery  of  registered  mail  from 1083 

Dispatch  of  registered  mailfrom 1080 

Money-order  business  at 1257 

Rural  routes  to  be  inspected  semi-annually  by  postmasters. .      748 
Salaries: 

Payment  of 725 

Vouchers 727 

Schedules 758,760 

Scurrilous  matter 481 

Second-class  matter 411, 441, 469 

Seeds,  bulbs,  plants,  rate  of  postage 457 

Seeds,  etc.,  in  mails 478 

Separation  of  mails 749, 766-767 

Service  by  rural  carriers,  who  may  have 717 

Short-paid  matter 397,  782 

Sickness,  absence  on  accoimt  of 730, 733 

Signals,  rural  mail  boxes 772 

Soliciting  for  business  concerns  forbidden 744 

Special-delivery  mail,  registered 1096 

Special-delivery  matter 792-800, 1096 

Special  rules  proposed  by  postmasters 751 

Stamps: 

Cancellation  en  route 784 

Record  of 785 

Supplies 813 

Unlawful  pledging  or  sale  of 332 


INDEX.  183 

Star  route:  Sec. 

Box  delivery  service  on 1437 

Definition  of 1394 

Star  service  on  rural  routes 789 

Substitutes: 

Assigned  to  more  than  one  route 719 

Pay  of 721,726 

To  serve  when  carrier  is  absent 731 

Vouchers  for 729, 732 

Sunday  and  holiday  service 735, 774 

Supplies: 

Stamp 811 

Rural  stations 823 

Supply  of  intermediate  post  offices 801, 810 

Telephone  to  be  used  by  carriers,  when 1084 

Temporary  carriers: 

Pay  of 725 

Vouchers 728 

Third-class  matter 447, 453 

Additions  permissible  and  prohibited 453 

Threatening  matter 481 

Time  to  be  entered  on  trip  report 761 

Transfers 718 

Transfer  or  sale  of  position  forbidden 720 

Transient  second-class  rates 435 

Trip  reports 761 

Turning  in  matter  for  registration 1073 

Turning  in  undelivered  matter  and  funds 787 

Undeliverable  matter 770 

Undelivered  matter 787, 788 

Unidentified  matter 788 

United  States  and  its  possessions,  included  in  term 395 

Unmailable  matter 479, 486,  519 

UnmaUable  matter  accepted  for  registration,  action  respecting 1079 

Unpaid  matter 782 

Unstamped  matter 782 

Unwarranted  service  to  be  brought  to  attention  of  Department. . .      748 
Vacancies  to  be  promptly  reported 721 


184  INDEX. 

Sec. 

Vegetables  in  mails 475 

Vehicles  of  carriers 811 

Vouchers: 

Pension 746 

Carriers' 727-729 

Substitutes 732 

Wagons,  carriers' 811 

Weather  reports 409 

Weight  of  mail  matter,  limit  of 462, 463 

Weight  of  matter  in  doubt 780 

Willful  or  malicious  injury  to  mail  boxes 1699 

Withdrawal  of  mail 552,  786 

Withdrawal  of  service  from  box 829 

Witnesses,  carriers  serving  as 730 

Wrapping  of  matter  for  mailing 469, 477 

Zone  in  which  post  office  is  located,  to  ascertain 456 

Zones,  parcel-post  service 454 


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